Digital Event Horizon
Damage to coral reefs is on the rise, but scientists have developed a revolutionary robotic gripper designed to aid in their transplantation. This innovative solution aims to address the pressing need for skilled human workers required to cultivate corals for reef restoration.
The current state of coral reefs is at risk due to climate change, pollution, and human activities, with many suffering from severe damage and declining health. Australian scientists have developed a robotic gripper designed to aid in the transplantation of coral reefs, using AI generative design algorithms to handle delicate coral tissue. The gripper is made of hard polymer and soft rubber parts, providing strength and flexibility for handling fragile coral tissue without causing damage. The device is being used in conjunction with a coral-farming robot to automate the process of cultivating corals, addressing the pressing need for skilled human workers. The technology has significant implications for the conservation of coral reefs and their ecosystems, aiming to restore these vital ecosystems through scaled-up coral farming efforts.
In recent years, coral reefs have faced unprecedented threats due to climate change, pollution, and other human activities. As a result, many coral reefs around the world are suffering from severe damage, leading to a significant decline in their health and biodiversity. However, there is hope on the horizon for these beleaguered ecosystems. Australian scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have developed a revolutionary robotic gripper designed specifically to aid in the transplantation of coral reefs.
The gripper, which was created in partnership with the Beyond Coral Foundation, is an innovative solution aimed at addressing the pressing need for skilled human workers to cultivate the millions of corals required to repopulate damaged reefs. The device uses advanced AI generative design algorithms to identify the best structures for safely and effectively handling fragile coral tissue.
The robotic gripper is made primarily of hard polymer and soft rubber parts, which provide the necessary strength and flexibility to handle delicate coral tissue without causing damage. Its unique design also ensures that it can stand up to constant use in saltwater environments, where metal parts would quickly corrode. The only metal components are a few screws and bolts.
According to Dr. Josh Pinskier from CSIRO, "This gripper replicates the dexterity of a human hand, allowing it to handle delicate coral tissue without damaging them, while being strong enough to lift various sizes." By automating this process, scientists hope to contribute to broader global efforts to scale coral farming and help restore the world's reefs.
Currently, the device is being used in conjunction with the Beyond Coral Foundation's Coral Husbandry Automated Raceway Machine (CHARM), a coral-farming robot. The CHARM robot harvests small sections of living coral from larger pieces, then grows them in a series of indoor tanks until they're big and hardy enough to survive on an actual ocean reef.
Raising these baby corals involves daily tasks such as feeding them, cleaning them, removing algae from their tanks, and transferring them between tanks tailored to optimum growing conditions as they get larger. Currently, all these jobs are performed by people. However, there simply aren't enough skilled human workers to cultivate the millions of corals that will be required to repopulate all of the planet's decimated reefs.
The CHARM robot uses different attachments to perform various tasks, and the CSIRO-developed hand is utilized to gently lift corals from one tank and transfer them to the next tank down the line. The technology may also be used in the future for placing grown corals on reefs.
This groundbreaking innovation has significant implications for the conservation of coral reefs and their ecosystems. By addressing the pressing need for skilled workers, scientists hope to make a tangible difference in the effort to restore these vital ecosystems. As Dr. Pinskier aptly puts it, "By automating this process, we can contribute to broader global efforts to scale coral farming and help restore the world's reefs."
Related Information:
https://newatlas.com/robotics/csiro-coral-raising-robotic-hand/
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2024/November/World-first-robotic-hand-to-help-cultivate-baby-corals-for-reef-restoration
Published: Fri Nov 15 21:28:13 2024 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
