A research team from West Virginia University has developed a unique robot called Stickbug, designed to address the decline of natural pollinators such as bees, moths, butterflies, and flies. Stickbug is equipped with six arms and a Kiwi drive system that allows it to move through narrow aisles and identify target flowers for pollination using a probe and sorter.
Stickbug’s 6 arms provide it with the ability to pollinate multiple flowers simultaneously at a rate of 1.5 pollinations per minute, making it an ideal solution for greenhouse environments where there is a need for efficient pollination. The robot’s end effector has a felt-covered tip that simulates the pollination process, while its controllers allow it to perform different tasks independently, focusing on precision, flexibility, and access to resources.
Initial testing of Stickbug prototype on an artificial black raspberry tree showed a success rate of about 50% in pollinating as many flowers as possible within 5 minutes. Further research will involve testing Stickbug on real trees during the flowering season to assess its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. If successful, Stickbug could offer an alternative solution to natural pollinators and contribute significantly to global food security by ensuring continued pollination of plants for food production. This innovative robotic solution may help mitigate the risks associated with declining pollinator populations by providing an efficient solution for greenhouse environments.