New competition could bring your bio-inspired robot idea to life聽
Imagine a world where a woodpecker robot could find and 鈥渆at鈥 parasites in trees, or a mechanical falcon was protecting sea turtle eggs? This is a reality envisioned by engineers at the 扣扣传媒 who are inviting submissions for this year鈥檚 Natural Robotics Contest.
The contest is a public competition open to all. Anyone can submit ideas for nature-inspired robots that can help the world.
Dr Robert Siddall, Lecturer in robotics and founder of the competition, 扣扣传媒 said:
鈥淟ast year we had so much fun launching this competition and creating the winning entry, Eleanor Mackintosh鈥檚 Robo-fish. The Robo-fish, which was named Gillbert, eats microplastics directly from water sources.
鈥淔or 2023 we want to inspire more people to submit ideas for robots that help the world be a better place. We have a lesson plan available for teachers, you鈥檒l have a few months to bring ideas together and get inspired by nature.鈥
This year鈥檚 theme is inspired by the and the winning idea will be made into a real, working prototype by a team of expert engineers.
Submissions will need to embody the key goals from COP15, which focus on tackling degrading ecosystems, human-caused extinctions, protecting land/sea, reducing food waste, reducing invasive species, sharing the benefits of biodiversity equally, bringing pollution levels down and incorporating nature into agriculture.
More details of the competition can be found at website, and it will be open until 1st July 2023.
###
Notes to editors
Dr Rob Siddall is available for interview upon request
Contact the University press office via mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
View 2022鈥檚 competition winner and highlights video here:
A lesson plan for educators is available here:
Media Contacts
External Communications and PR team
Phone: +44 (0)1483 684380 / 688914 / 684378
Email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Out of hours: +44 (0)7773 479911