Assisting Amazon Reforestation: The Remarkable Dual-Armed Robot Making a Difference
Introduction:
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the lungs of the planet, is facing a serious threat. With a third of the rainforest already gone or degraded, conservation efforts are crucial. Non-profit organization Junglekeepers, in partnership with ABB Robotics, has introduced a dual-armed robotic gardener called YuMi to aid in reforestation efforts in Peru. The World Economic Forum reports that over 870,000 km² of Amazon rainforest has been cleared since 1985. YuMi accelerates and expands reforestation operations, allowing for the planting of 640 crates of seeds per session. This robotic assistance helps protect the Amazon rainforest and advance the mission of Junglekeepers.
Full Article: Assisting Amazon Reforestation: The Remarkable Dual-Armed Robot Making a Difference
Robotic Gardener Joins Efforts to Restore Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the lungs of the planet, is facing significant degradation, with approximately one-third already gone or damaged. In Peru, a pocket of resistance against deforestation has enlisted the help of a dual-armed robotic gardener to aid in reforestation efforts.
A World Economic Forum report highlights that more than 870,000 km2 of vital Amazon rainforest has been cleared since 1985, mainly for agricultural operations. Non-profit organization Junglekeepers is dedicated to protecting 55,000 acres of the Peruvian Amazon, and they have now integrated ABB Robotics’ collaborative robot, known as YuMi, into their efforts.
Conservation effort faces obstacles
Moshin Kazmi, co-founder of Junglekeepers, stated that “as of right now, we have lost 20 percent of the total area of the Amazon rainforest; without using technology today, conservation will be at a standstill.” This highlights the importance of harnessing technology to accelerate and expand conservation operations.
YuMi: a valuable addition to the conservation team
Originally introduced in 2015 to meet the agile production needs of the consumer electronics industry, YuMi has proven to be a versatile tool for small parts assembly operations due to its dual arms, flexible gripper, camera-based component location, and precise motion control. The robot was designed to collaborate closely with human workers and boasts a lightweight magnesium-alloy skeleton with plastic casing and soft padding.
Robotic helper takes on seed planting
In this latest application, YuMi works in a remote jungle lab in Paddington country, Peru, and has taken over the labor-intensive task of seed planting. YuMi digs a hole in the soil container, places a seed inside, covers it up, and pats it down. A color-coded tag is then added to the container. The robot can plant a seed in 12 seconds per container, or 3.5 minutes per crate, with 640 crates planted in each session.
Boosting reforestation efforts
Once the crates are filled, human volunteers transport them to the nursery for subsequent planting. ABB reports that thanks to YuMi’s assistance, an area the size of two soccer fields can be planted out every day. This significantly increases the efficiency and impact of reforestation efforts in the Amazon rainforest.
Remote programming and troubleshooting
An ABB team in Västerås, Sweden, remotely simulates, refines, and deploys programming for YuMi’s tasks. The company’s RobotStudio Cloud technology enables precise remote programming, allowing the cobot to operate autonomously. Remote technicians can also step in for troubleshooting when needed.
Focusing on impactful tasks
The use of YuMi frees up human volunteers for more impactful tasks, such as planting mature saplings, patrolling the area for illegal loggers, and educating locals about rainforest preservation. This collaboration between ABB Robotics and Junglekeepers showcases how robotics and cloud technology can play a vital role in combating deforestation, one of the major contributors to climate change.
A step towards conserving the Amazon rainforest
Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, emphasizes the significance of this pilot project in fighting deforestation and preserving the rainforest. By automating repetitive tasks, YuMi allows rangers to focus on important conservation work, ultimately helping to protect the land they call home.
Source: ABB Robotics
Summary: Assisting Amazon Reforestation: The Remarkable Dual-Armed Robot Making a Difference
The Amazon rainforest is facing significant degradation, with a third of it already destroyed. To address this issue, Junglekeepers, a non-profit organization, has enlisted the help of a dual-armed robotic gardener called YuMi from ABB Robotics. YuMi autonomously plants seeds in the Peruvian Amazon, taking over the labor-intensive manual task of reforestation. With YuMi’s assistance, an area the size of two soccer fields can be planted every day. The robotic helper operates remotely from Sweden, and its tasks are simulated and refined by an ABB team. This innovative collaboration showcases how robotics can help fight deforestation and conserve the rainforest. Source: ABB Robotics.
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Q1: What is robotics?
A1: Robotics refers to the interdisciplinary field of science and technology that involves designing and building autonomous machines capable of carrying out tasks or operations without human intervention. These machines, known as robots, are programmed to perform specific functions with high precision and efficiency.
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