The A’seedbot robot is equipped with solar power, capable of charging during the day and operating at night within a 5km radius.
The Global Grad Show is an annual exhibition in Dubai that is always filled with unique ideas. This international exhibition is presented as a gathering place for the most diverse graduate design projects aimed at providing solutions to environmental and social issues. Due to the impact of Covid-19, part of this year’s exhibition is taking place online, but the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region is being hosted in person as part of Dubai Design Week from November 8 to 13.
A’seedbot – an autonomous seed sowing robot in the desert. (Photo: Global Grad Show)
In 2020, many ideas were proposed to respond to the pandemic and adapt to the new normal. Meanwhile, this year’s exhibition features two or three trends, according to Global Grad Show director Tadeu Caravieri. “People are extremely concerned about health and mental well-being. They are also focused on how to turn their homes into comfortable places for work, study, health care, and ensuring food supply,” Caravieri stated.
Alongside pandemic concerns, environmental issues are a top priority at the exhibition. One of the notable designs in this theme is the A’seedbot, a solar-powered robot that can sow seeds in the desert. “I hope there will be more greenery out there,” shared Mazyar Etehadi, a researcher at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, who designed the A’seedbot.
The A’seedbot is approximately 20 cm long, with legs manufactured using 3D printing technology. The robot is equipped with solar panels to charge during the day and operate at night. It can autonomously run within a 5km radius. The A’seedbot navigates through sand to find areas with suitable moisture (detected by the robot’s “eyes”) and sows seeds. It is also equipped with sensors, a navigation system, and collision avoidance capabilities. As a result, the robot can operate autonomously, with human assistance needed only to refill the seeds.
“I believe this is a solution that can be easily conceived, but no one has really done it yet,” Etehadi remarked. He also mentioned that he is developing a version that can operate on various types of sand, and some investors have expressed interest in his design.
