Climate change, invasive species and soil pollution are putting pressure on our ecosystems. Robots that interact with animals aim to provide a solution to overcome various challenges. In this way, honey bees can be ‘controlled’ to guarantee pollination and therefore food security.
Researchers from the University of Graz and the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa explain this in the journal ‘Science Robotics’. The approach to teamwork between robots and wildlife is relatively new. This is because the necessary technology only gradually becomes possible, explains Thomas Schmickl, head of the Artificial Life Lab at the University of Graz.
This creates a ‘behavioral dialogue’ through which ‘the living being has the ability to influence the robot and the robot has the opportunity to influence the living being’, the biologist summarizes.
With the help of the ‘dialogue partner’, information about the state of the ecosystem can be collected. This is possible because the living creature is in contact with the rest of the ecosystem and its behavior adapts to its condition.
Nature is “extremely cruel” to robots
Yet this area of research faces major challenges: on the one hand, nature is “extremely cruel” to robots because robotics are not very robust in rain or mud. On the other hand, biocompatibility – the animal must accept the robot – is a difficult task. In addition, the robot must be able to induce a behavioral response in living things.
“Integrating robots into living communities is particularly easy when it comes to social lifestyles,” Schmickl explains. In theory, the use of robotics can be applied to many animal species, but in practice it depends on the size: “The smaller it is, the easier it is to develop and test.” He himself conducts intensive research into honey bees. He is currently working on ‘dialogue’ with the queen bee.
“Subtle signal”
In the long term, research using this approach could change the behavior of living things, for example to manage populations, and thereby positively impact ecosystems. With “subtle signals you send to some creatures,” you can deliberately “steer” honey bees to areas with few other wild pollinators. Invasive species can also be removed.
Such a use is also conceivable in livestock farming. For example, in Switzerland a virtual fencing system without physical barriers for cows, limited by sound and electrical signals, was tested. However, ecosystems should not be disrupted ‘just out of the blue’. “I believe that we must use technologies to solve burning problems,” the scientist emphasizes.
Source: Krone
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