3D printed SlothBot to preserve biodiversity

The development of 3D-printed robots is no longer a novelty. Previously, we wrote about different 3D printed robots, which have a wide range of applications. Recently, students from Georgia Tech (School for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology), Gennaro Notomista and Yousef Emam, under the supervision of their professor Magnus Egerstedt have developed an extraordinary robot. The robot in question is SlothBot, which is partly additively manufactured. What are the characteristics of this robot and in which areas should it be used?

The development of SlothBot started in 2019. As the name implies, the robot is based on its animal model. The resemblance with an actual sloth can be seen not only in the design, but also in the robot’s slow mode of locomotion. The inspiration came to Professor Egerstedt while he was traveling in Costa Rica, during the trip he saw the animals climbing on a rope. The SlothBot was developed with the aim of measuring temperature fluctuations and carbon dioxide to protect endangered plants and animals.

It quickly became clear during the development stage that the robot would have to withstand long-term weather fluctuations. As a solution, the researchers used 3D printing, more specifically an FFF 3D printer, to manufacture a cover that would protect the electronics. One of the advantages of 3D printing lies in the freedom of design – since the SlothBot will be used in places where visitors are present, the goal is for the robot not to be perceived as a nuisance. An even greater advantage, however, is the weight reduction made possible by 3D printing. After all, the SlothBot will be powered by solar cells, thus, it should be as energy-efficient as possible.