TY - GEN
T1 - Zero-footprint eco-robotics
T2 - 1st AIRPHARO Workshop on Aerial Robotic Systems Physically Interacting with the Environment, AIRPHARO 2021
AU - Wiesemuller, Fabian
AU - Miriyev, Aslan
AU - Kovac, Mirko
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 IEEE.
PY - 2021/10/1
Y1 - 2021/10/1
N2 - Robots are viable candidates for automating environmental monitoring. However, potentially toxic and non-biodegradable materials comprising state-of-the-art robots may threaten vulnerable natural environments and limit robots' use in their monitoring. When expecting robotic platforms to become increasingly ubiquitous in the near future, new robot design approaches involving biodegradable and non-fossil-based materials are required to create robots with zero and near-zero environmental impact. Here we propose the material selection and application routes for material systems integrating sensing, actuation, communication, and computation. We highlight the out-standing potential of combining living cells in the design of zero-footprint eco-robots. Due to their natural responsiveness to external triggers and morphing capabilities, alone or in combination with synthetic counterparts, living cells may drastically increase the functionality of the designed robotic systems. The present paper introduces a concept of zero-footprint, transient eco-robotics and provides methods for selection of suitable materials combining structural and functional capabilities, including sensing, self-healing, and self-terminating. We suggest that these methods can build the foundation for future environmentally sustainable robotic systems, that follow the circular economy paradigm. We also emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of the zero-footprint eco-robot design, involving material scientists, biologists, and roboticists.
AB - Robots are viable candidates for automating environmental monitoring. However, potentially toxic and non-biodegradable materials comprising state-of-the-art robots may threaten vulnerable natural environments and limit robots' use in their monitoring. When expecting robotic platforms to become increasingly ubiquitous in the near future, new robot design approaches involving biodegradable and non-fossil-based materials are required to create robots with zero and near-zero environmental impact. Here we propose the material selection and application routes for material systems integrating sensing, actuation, communication, and computation. We highlight the out-standing potential of combining living cells in the design of zero-footprint eco-robots. Due to their natural responsiveness to external triggers and morphing capabilities, alone or in combination with synthetic counterparts, living cells may drastically increase the functionality of the designed robotic systems. The present paper introduces a concept of zero-footprint, transient eco-robotics and provides methods for selection of suitable materials combining structural and functional capabilities, including sensing, self-healing, and self-terminating. We suggest that these methods can build the foundation for future environmentally sustainable robotic systems, that follow the circular economy paradigm. We also emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of the zero-footprint eco-robot design, involving material scientists, biologists, and roboticists.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119045870&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/AIRPHARO52252.2021.9571067
DO - 10.1109/AIRPHARO52252.2021.9571067
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85119045870
T3 - AIRPHARO 2021 - 1st AIRPHARO Workshop on Aerial Robotic Systems Physically Interacting with the Environment
BT - AIRPHARO 2021 - 1st AIRPHARO Workshop on Aerial Robotic Systems Physically Interacting with the Environment
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Y2 - 4 October 2021 through 5 October 2021
ER -