Student designs pangolin robot that digs, drops seed for farming

A California high school student has designed a robot inspired by the pangolin to handle tasks like digging and planting.

The design, developed by a student named Dorothy, was brought to life by engineers at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Named the Plantolin, this nature-inspired robot recently won the University’s annual Natural Robotics Contest, sponsored by the British Ecological Society.

“My entry was inspired by pangolins since they are fascinating creatures and have a very distinct armored and prehistoric appearance (like a walking pine cone). They’re not very fast or ferocious but have an adorable waddle walk,” said Dorothy, in a statement.

Nature-inspired innovation

Researchers note that in the evolving landscape of robotics, there is increasing potential for robots to occupy vital roles in various environments, filling gaps in tasks traditionally performed by nature or humans.

In her high school classes, Dorothy learned about the impact of deforestation on climate change and the importance of restoring forests by planting more trees for the sustainable development of the planet.

“Pangolins spend a lot of their time digging in the ground, so I thought a planter robot inspired by the pangolin’s behavior would be very natural,” said Dorothy.

In natural environments, large animals clear dense vegetation and help disperse seeds. However, this process occurs far less in urban areas, such as southern parts of the UK, leaving a gap that robots could effectively fill.

After Dorothy’s design was chosen, a working version was built at the University of Surrey. Plantolin roves on two wheels, with a long, movable tail for balance. Covered in plywood scales, it digs using its claws, depositing a yew “seed bomb” into the hole.

“Dorothy’s brilliant design reminds us how we can solve some of our biggest challenges by looking to nature for inspiration,” said Robert Siddall, a roboticist at the University of Surrey who built Plantolin, in a statement.

Boosting biodiversity

The design features a unique form and function and is self-balancing on two wheels with a tail for additional support. This feature allows the robot to dig into the soil using passive claws that bend one way to extract dirt and remain rigid in the other direction for more robust actions.

Its two motors can either work in tandem or dig independently, depending on the task at hand. Built using repurposed components like drone motors from an old quadcopter, the robot is optimized for torque and functionality, despite its compact design.

A seed dispenser, which disperses seeds via a conveyor system that releases them at the back of the machine, is essential to its operation. According to the team, the robot is intended to be a component of a broader ecosystem, imitating the actions of huge animals, including clearing undergrowth, dispersing seeds, and enhancing the soil.

These actions contribute to the equilibrium of the ecosystem by encouraging or discouraging particular animal species. Robots can thereby fill important environmental gaps, particularly in areas where natural processes are hampered by obstacles such as human infrastructure.

Siddall claims these devices provide creative approaches to managing landscapes, fostering biodiversity, and assisting sustainable agriculture practices by fusing ecological functions with robotics. This suggests a future in which robots will be indispensable in both urban and natural environments.