A team of researchers from West Virginia University have developed a new pollination robot called Stickbug to address the issue of endangered pollinators, such as bees, moths, butterflies, and flies. The robot is designed for greenhouse environments and features a Kiwi drive system that enables it to move easily between narrow aisles.
Stickbug has a probe and sorter that allows it to identify target flowers and uses an end effector with a felt-covered tip for contact pollination. The robot is equipped with six arms and controllers, allowing it to pollinate multiple flowers simultaneously and perform tasks independently. It focuses on precision, flexibility, and access to resources such as data on black raspberries.
In initial testing, Stickbug was able to conduct 1.5 pollination attempts per minute with a success rate of around 50%. The research team plans to conduct further tests with real trees during the flowering season to evaluate its effectiveness in addressing the decline of natural pollinators and contributing to global food security. If successful, Stickbug could provide a promising solution for compensating for the loss of natural pollinators and protecting essential plant species.
The development of this innovative robot has the potential to make a significant impact on pollination efforts by providing an efficient way of collecting data on black raspberries while also ensuring precise contact with flowers for optimal results. This technology can benefit farmers by increasing crop yields while reducing their reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
