The I-Seed: a 4D Printed Robot Capable of Analyzing Air and Soil Quality

In the Italian Institute of Technology (ITT), there is a bio-inspired robotics laboratory whose mission is to design and develop new innovative solutions, while drawing inspiration from nature. In 2021, they launched the I-Seed, a project to develop a new generation of flexible, autonomous and biodegradable miniaturized robots using 4D printing. These robots are inspired by plant seeds. By merging scientific research and technological design, the laboratory aims to analyze and monitor air and topsoil environments, the part of the soil where plants find the nutrients necessary for their survival.

The creation of these biodegradable robots is in collaboration with the University of Trento, Italy. According to the researchers in charge of the project, the robot-seed is able to determine the temperature and humidity of the soil and air. It would also be able to see the presence of pollutants such as mercury, or the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. The first I-Seed is inspired by the hygromorphic structure of a South African geranium, the pelargonium appendiculatum.

The robot seed changes its morphology according to the humidity (photo credits: Italian Institute of Technology)

An Autonomous and Biodegradable Seed Robot

This plant operates in a precise manner. When the environmental conditions are right, its seeds break off. Their hygroscopic properties, that is to say the absorption of moisture, allow them to change shape and move to explore and penetrate the ground. This helps to promote the germination of the plant. In order to design the seed robot, the researchers carried out a morphometric, histological and biomechanical investigation of the pelargonium appendiculatum to predict its behaviors. Next, the researchers leveraged the biomechanical specifications to model and fabricate the seed-like robot. As previously explained, the researchers claim to have made the robot using 4D printing.