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Drone-assisted biodiversity monitoring in the rainforest
The ERL is looking for motivated and creative students passionate about robotics and sustainability. During your internship or master thesis you will develop robotic solutions to monitor biodiversity in the rainforest in the context of the high-profile XPRIZE Rainforest challenge.
You will be part of the ETH BiodivX team and test your robots in the Masoala Rainforest (Zurich Zoo) in preparation for the competition, and in Singapore for the XPRIZE semifinals.
ERL is co-leading one of 33 teams participating in the XPRIZE Rainforest challenge. The task is “easy”: unleash robots into the tough, dense, and complex vegetation for 24 hours to collect samples and data to measure biodiversity and generate insights in 48 hours that will help protect and preserve this vital ecosystem.
Monitoring biodiversity with environmental DNA is a promising approach. Samples obtained by swabbing and brushing leaves, branches and flowers can be used to genetically identify the animals and plants that live in the ecosystem. The problem we want to solve is how to remotely collect eDNA samples from tree canopies, which are generally inaccessible due to their height (20-60 m) and dense vegetation. To this end, the aim of this activity is to develop and test a hovering aerial robot that will fly above the canopy to lower a tethered collection probe inside the vegetation for sampling.
ERL is co-leading one of 33 teams participating in the XPRIZE Rainforest challenge. The task is “easy”: unleash robots into the tough, dense, and complex vegetation for 24 hours to collect samples and data to measure biodiversity and generate insights in 48 hours that will help protect and preserve this vital ecosystem. Monitoring biodiversity with environmental DNA is a promising approach. Samples obtained by swabbing and brushing leaves, branches and flowers can be used to genetically identify the animals and plants that live in the ecosystem. The problem we want to solve is how to remotely collect eDNA samples from tree canopies, which are generally inaccessible due to their height (20-60 m) and dense vegetation. To this end, the aim of this activity is to develop and test a hovering aerial robot that will fly above the canopy to lower a tethered collection probe inside the vegetation for sampling.
**Description**
In a recently completed Master's thesis, we developed and successfully tested a tethered probe that can be lowered into the canopy (see figure). It is equipped with flaps that skim the vegetation to collect eDNA. Now we must integrate the probe on a drone to transport it above the tree canopy and lower it to collect eDNA samples.
The objective of this internship or master's thesis is: (i) to improve the reliability of the mechanical design of the probe for operation in harsh environmental conditions, (ii) to integrate the probe (hardware and software) on a DJI Matrice 300 drone, (iii) to validate the proposed solution with field trials in the zoo, and to participate in the XPRIZE semi-finals.
**Work packages**
- Definition of problem and performance requirements.
- Literature review of related works with focus on aerial manipulation, tethered drones, and aerial transport of tethered loads.
- Optimisation of the mechanical design of the existing probe.
- Integration of the probe with the DJI SDK.
- Detailed evaluation of results and performance of the main subsystems.
- Validation through real experiments.
**Requirements**
- Experience in mechanical design
- Experience in rapid prototyping (e.g., 3D printing, Laser cutting)
- Experience in the design of printed circuit board
- Experience in programming
- Understanding of how to develop applications for Android
- High motivation and interest in the topic
- Methodological and goal-oriented working behavior
**Description** In a recently completed Master's thesis, we developed and successfully tested a tethered probe that can be lowered into the canopy (see figure). It is equipped with flaps that skim the vegetation to collect eDNA. Now we must integrate the probe on a drone to transport it above the tree canopy and lower it to collect eDNA samples. The objective of this internship or master's thesis is: (i) to improve the reliability of the mechanical design of the probe for operation in harsh environmental conditions, (ii) to integrate the probe (hardware and software) on a DJI Matrice 300 drone, (iii) to validate the proposed solution with field trials in the zoo, and to participate in the XPRIZE semi-finals.
**Work packages** - Definition of problem and performance requirements. - Literature review of related works with focus on aerial manipulation, tethered drones, and aerial transport of tethered loads. - Optimisation of the mechanical design of the existing probe. - Integration of the probe with the DJI SDK. - Detailed evaluation of results and performance of the main subsystems. - Validation through real experiments.
**Requirements** - Experience in mechanical design - Experience in rapid prototyping (e.g., 3D printing, Laser cutting) - Experience in the design of printed circuit board - Experience in programming - Understanding of how to develop applications for Android - High motivation and interest in the topic - Methodological and goal-oriented working behavior
Please send a motivation statement, and a copy of your CV and transcript to Stefano Mintchev (stefano.mintchev@usys.ethz.ch)
Please send a motivation statement, and a copy of your CV and transcript to Stefano Mintchev (stefano.mintchev@usys.ethz.ch)