Robots copy plants for high-tech innovation

Imagine if drones had fingers.

Drones already provide high-tech solutions, known as precision agriculture, to nutrient-managing growers across the globe. Precision ag could do even more to support food production if drones had reliable grasping capabilities. But that’s an extreme engineering challenge to say the least.

Scientific researchers wondered if they could copy plants’ gripping tendril engineering design to give drones the ability to tightly hold something. It’s the same design you see in cucumber vines or morning glories climbing a trellis. Researchers observed plants, then applied the same design principles to robotics.

This biomimetic approach led to the innovation of a class of grippers for drones that mimic climbing plants’ shape, pressure-driven mechanics, and flexible material.

If plants can inform international cutting-edge robotics innovations, what else can they teach us?

A career in agriculture research enables rising scientists to find solutions to make a difference in the world. Introduce careers in scientific research with your students. Share this 4-min video in your classroom.