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SnailBot: Robot Locomotion using Biodegradable Adhesives in Forest Canopies
Despite covering over a third of the total global land area, forests are not well studied. Under the looming threat of climate change, understanding our natural habitats is more important than ever. To enable robotic exploration for environmental monitoring, robust robotic locomotion in these challenging environments is necessary.
Locomotion in dense and cluttered environments such as forest canopies poses many challenges. Flying robots such as quadcopters risk fatal crashes upon interaction with foliage, necessitating alternate mobility forms. Climbing robots show great promise, but the chosen adhesion method (directional, microspines, suction) is very substrate-specific, and applicable only for certain surfaces. Attaching to tree- bark is challenging, especially without damaging the tree or leaving behind harmful substances. A biodegradable hydrogel adhesive has been developed and demonstrated to provide sufficient adhesive function for load-bearing. Utilizing such a bioadhesive would allow a robot to attach to the robot trunk and branches, enabling robot locomotion in challenging conditions with a minimal environmental impact.
Locomotion in dense and cluttered environments such as forest canopies poses many challenges. Flying robots such as quadcopters risk fatal crashes upon interaction with foliage, necessitating alternate mobility forms. Climbing robots show great promise, but the chosen adhesion method (directional, microspines, suction) is very substrate-specific, and applicable only for certain surfaces. Attaching to tree- bark is challenging, especially without damaging the tree or leaving behind harmful substances. A biodegradable hydrogel adhesive has been developed and demonstrated to provide sufficient adhesive function for load-bearing. Utilizing such a bioadhesive would allow a robot to attach to the robot trunk and branches, enabling robot locomotion in challenging conditions with a minimal environmental impact.
The goal of the project is to integrate an existing biodegradable hydrogel adhesive into a mechanism for robot locomotion, characterize the system, and to demonstrate the robot in challenging real-world situations.
**Work Packages**
• Literature review on state-of-the-art adhesion mechanisms and robots for canopy exploration
• Design, manufacturing, and characterization of adhesive element, integrating the biodegradable hydrogel
• Integration of multiple adhesive elements to construct a robot capable of locomotion in a tree canopy
• Evaluation and characterization of the developed platform
**Requirements**
• Experience with mechanical design and electronics integration
• High motivation and interest in novel robots for challenging environments
• Methodological and goal-oriented working behaviour
• Good communication skills
The goal of the project is to integrate an existing biodegradable hydrogel adhesive into a mechanism for robot locomotion, characterize the system, and to demonstrate the robot in challenging real-world situations.
**Work Packages** • Literature review on state-of-the-art adhesion mechanisms and robots for canopy exploration • Design, manufacturing, and characterization of adhesive element, integrating the biodegradable hydrogel • Integration of multiple adhesive elements to construct a robot capable of locomotion in a tree canopy • Evaluation and characterization of the developed platform
**Requirements** • Experience with mechanical design and electronics integration • High motivation and interest in novel robots for challenging environments • Methodological and goal-oriented working behaviour • Good communication skills
Please send a brief motivation statement, CV, and transcript to Christian Geckeler (christian.geckeler@usys.ethz.ch) and Steffen Kirchgeorg (steffen.kirchgeorg@usys.ethz.ch).
Please send a brief motivation statement, CV, and transcript to Christian Geckeler (christian.geckeler@usys.ethz.ch) and Steffen Kirchgeorg (steffen.kirchgeorg@usys.ethz.ch).