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Robotic end-effector for collecting samples from stems and branches within the forest canopy
Environmental monitoring is becoming one of the fundamental challenges of our time. The goal of this project is to develop a robotic end-effector to collect samples from tree to monitor the spread of disease in forests.
A deadly fungus thratens one of Hawaii’s most important native tree species, the ʻŌhiʻa tree. The fungus has killed hundreds of thousands of mature ʻŌhiʻa trees on Hawaii Islands since it was first discovered in 2014. As the fungus spreads inside the stem and is rarely visible from outside, one suitable method to identify infect trees is drilling into the stem and branches and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. The goal of this project is to conceive, develop and test a robotic end-effector able to drill holes into the stem and collect wood dust for laboratory analysis.
A deadly fungus thratens one of Hawaii’s most important native tree species, the ʻŌhiʻa tree. The fungus has killed hundreds of thousands of mature ʻŌhiʻa trees on Hawaii Islands since it was first discovered in 2014. As the fungus spreads inside the stem and is rarely visible from outside, one suitable method to identify infect trees is drilling into the stem and branches and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. The goal of this project is to conceive, develop and test a robotic end-effector able to drill holes into the stem and collect wood dust for laboratory analysis.
The robotic end-effector will be delivered in proximity to the branches of interest with an existing drone. Once in place the hand-effector has to: (i) firmly grasp the branch or adhere to its surface, (ii) reliably drill a hole without canting or jamming, and (iii) collect the wood dust. The project scope includes: the development of the mechatronic solutions to fulfill these tasks, their integration and validation.
**Work packages**
- Familiarize with the problem in collaboration with Hawaiian partners
- Literature review of related work
- Formalization of the system requirements
- Development of a grasping / adhesion mechanism
- Development of the drilling unit
- Development of the dust collection mechanism
- Integration and testing
**Requirements**
- Strong interest and experience in mechanism design and prototyping
- High motivation and interest in the topic
- Methodological and goal-oriented working behavior
The robotic end-effector will be delivered in proximity to the branches of interest with an existing drone. Once in place the hand-effector has to: (i) firmly grasp the branch or adhere to its surface, (ii) reliably drill a hole without canting or jamming, and (iii) collect the wood dust. The project scope includes: the development of the mechatronic solutions to fulfill these tasks, their integration and validation.
**Work packages**
- Familiarize with the problem in collaboration with Hawaiian partners - Literature review of related work - Formalization of the system requirements - Development of a grasping / adhesion mechanism - Development of the drilling unit - Development of the dust collection mechanism - Integration and testing
**Requirements**
- Strong interest and experience in mechanism design and prototyping - 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: