Have problems with pollination - B-Droid may help
B-Droid, an autonomous robotic pollinator, has passed first tests conducted by engineers of the Warsaw University of Technology on strawberry fields. The robotic bee can move between plantation rows, find flowers and transfer pollen from one flower to another.
"We have managed to build a technology demonstrator of an autonomous device for pollination. In other words, a device which is able to find a flower, collect its pollen and transfer it to the stigma of the same flower or any other flower of the same type," B-Droid's inventor, Dr Rafal Dalewski of the Warsaw University of Technology's Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering has told PAP.
The self-controlled B-Droid moves on the ground between plants. The transfer of pollen between flowers takes place thanks to the robot's delicate moves of its whisks. Dalewski explains that the work of the bee robot has to be very gentle so as not to damage flowers, and adds that the most crucial element is software which enables the robot to find a flower and define its location in space.
"This year we ran tests on two types of crops - strawberries and garlic. During the tests we were able to carry pollen from flower to flower," said Dalewski. He stressed that the most important thing is that the robot did not damage the flowers which it was supposed to pollinate. Now the engineers are waiting for the effects of the robotic bee's work.
The scientist argues that a device moving on the ground is best for pollinating selected types of plants as it consumes little energy and is cheap to operate.
Dalewski also said that his team is also working on an aerial vehicle, equipment which would be more suitable for use, for example, in orchards. (PAP)
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