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You are in: Home > > PLANTBOT: Sun Seeking Robot Planter

PLANTBOT: Sun Seeking Robot Planter

21 by LiveOAK Staff on October 18, 2008

This robotic planter concept from the Play Coalition empowers plants to catch some rays, where ever they may be.  They call it "Solar seeking botanical augmentation," but essentially it is a Phototrope robot that seeks out optimal sunlight and moves it's plant host where it needs to go to get that sun.

Plantbot

There's not a whole lot of info on this and I suspect that this is a design concept and not a working prototype... cool none the less (well actually it is less cool than a working prototype, but still worth a mention).

PlantbotPlantbotPlantbot

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  • http://www.threevolve.org Dan

    I dunno, it looks like there is a battery pack or something in that second to last pic.

    Either way, pretty cool idea. Would be fun to watch.

  • Peter

    I saw the very same concept in an American Airlines brochure in 1979. Theirs had a photovoltaic cell that rotated the plant whenever there was sun so that the plant didn’t grow sideways. It meant that the plant grew straight up.

  • http://www.2getitnow.com tommy

    Maybe next it will walk to the sing and water itself?

    Thanks for posting.

  • Erik

    Dan, you’re retarded. The robot isn’t drawing power from the plant LOL. It’s just a machine that moves the plant to where there is sunlight.

  • Han Solo

    Wow Eric. Way to embarras yourself..

  • EarAche

    Cute cat.

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  • http://smilo.uber.com/ Joey

    I think the plant bot is a good idea, In fact, it’s awesome.
    I enjoyed watching the cat behave in the same environment.
    NICE, Nice;… Flowermont

  • Chris

    How is this \Green\? It would probably take a ton or two of carbon emissions to produce. Add on a rechargeable battery pack and circuit boards loaded w/ toxic metals. Probably carved from old growth hardwoods by child labor. All of this so it can consume electricity to move a houseplant around. So what!!! Is it is cool? yes. Stylish? yes. A complete waste of time/energy/money/resources?? Absolutely!!! People, get off your lazy asses and take care of your plants.

  • Chris

    How is this “Green”? It would probably take a ton or two of carbon emissions to produce. Add on a rechargeable battery pack and circuit boards loaded w/ toxic metals. Probably carved from old growth hardwoods by child labor. All of this so it can consume electricity to move a houseplant around. So what!!! Is it is cool? yes. Stylish? yes. A complete waste of time/energy/money/resources?? Absolutely!!! People, get off your lazy asses and take care of your plants.

  • msrr

    what plant is that?

  • http://flickr.com/photos/simon_cousins/ simon

    Wow Its a Skrode Rider!

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  • dude

    It’s a sago palm IIRC. I killed mine recently. Sigh. Would love a robot to take the plant to the sink, and water it as necessary, then spend the day walking around the house catching rays. My dog would be freaked out.

  • Chief

    - That is a working prototype, it has servos and sensors and it is shown above moving around.
    - As far as robots go, it is very green. A wooden chassis will biodegrade, plastic will not. It’s an excellent idea.
    - It is a beautiful critter indeed.

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  • http://www.squidoo.com/fallinlove Elwanda Lips

    great post, raises interesting points

  • http://www.nooblue.com SEO

    Oh Spider thee vs Cat , Good Job

    Thank you

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    Thank you DIY is Tree !!

  • http://ครีมมะขามพะเยา.com nat

    Oh Thank you