Researchers at the Morphing Matter Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a groundbreaking natural ‘robot’ called E-seed. It’s a seed carrying system which is dropped from a drone and then becomes self-burying after landing on the ground.

Named after the Erodium plant, the robot replicates the plant’s natural ability to disperse seeds efficiently and anchor itself in soil, improving germination success.

Constructed from oak wood, the E-seed is eco-friendly, as it biodegrades naturally without polluting the environment. In addition to carrying seeds, the robot can also be loaded with fungi and worms, which help enhance germination.

This self-burying seed carrier system is expected to improve the effectiveness of aerial seeding to relieve agricultural and environmental stresses, and has potential applications in energy harvesting, soft robotics and sustainable buildings.

For more information visit: https://morphingmatter.org/projects/seed