/technologies/robotics/b/blog/posts/iit-develops-robotic-plants-in-an-effort-to-study-natural-root-growthIIT’s robotic plant system. Tech mimics life... making better machines based on the tried and true (via IIT &amp; Plantoid Project ) Robots come in many forms, which are based on the functions they perform. There are robotic arms used in manufact...en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/technologies/robotics/b/blog/posts/iit-develops-robotic-plants-in-an-effort-to-study-natural-root-growthFri, 27 Sep 2013 20:40:25 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:17f44e38-0037-4596-86fd-78a88460699aDAB0<p>This is one of those projects where I can see a lot of useful data collection from something that sounds really stupid!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Granted, the short description did not cover the project objectives, integration with other projects, etc, but on the surface it looks like a nice ivory tower project.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On the other hand, looking at ways to power autonomous root boring machines have a tremendous potential for agriculture.</p><p>Picture sowing these mechanical plants with your crop, where they have been trained to help break up hard soils for good crops.&nbsp; They could also help keep invasive bad plants from choking out your crop.&nbsp; I suspect you could also have the robot plant look for parasites, slugs and other pests that would reduce your crop yield.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So I can see how some people might construe this type of research as a waste of money, you really have to put it into proper perspective to appreciate its true value.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>DAB</p><img src="https://community.element14.com/aggbug?PostID=16554&AppID=36&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">