4 research outputs found
Flora robotica -- An Architectural System Combining Living Natural Plants and Distributed Robots
Key to our project flora robotica is the idea of creating a bio-hybrid system
of tightly coupled natural plants and distributed robots to grow architectural
artifacts and spaces. Our motivation with this ground research project is to
lay a principled foundation towards the design and implementation of living
architectural systems that provide functionalities beyond those of orthodox
building practice, such as self-repair, material accumulation and
self-organization. Plants and robots work together to create a living organism
that is inhabited by human beings. User-defined design objectives help to steer
the directional growth of the plants, but also the system's interactions with
its inhabitants determine locations where growth is prohibited or desired
(e.g., partitions, windows, occupiable space). We report our plant species
selection process and aspects of living architecture. A leitmotif of our
project is the rich concept of braiding: braids are produced by robots from
continuous material and serve as both scaffolds and initial architectural
artifacts before plants take over and grow the desired architecture. We use
light and hormones as attraction stimuli and far-red light as repelling
stimulus to influence the plants. Applied sensors range from simple proximity
sensing to detect the presence of plants to sophisticated sensing technology,
such as electrophysiology and measurements of sap flow. We conclude by
discussing our anticipated final demonstrator that integrates key features of
flora robotica, such as the continuous growth process of architectural
artifacts and self-repair of living architecture.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure
The Future of Human-Plant Synergy in the Age of Remote Interaction
This research investigates the physiological and psychological impacts of tactile interactions with plants, focusing on the comparison between live plants as display mediums and technologically mediated remote relationships.
The study aims to understand how these different modes of interaction affect plant growth and human well-being. It also explores the emotional and psychological effects of physical touch with plants on human well-being, particularly in the context of the increasing prevalence of remote interfaces that lead to disconnection from natural environments.
The research further examines how specific physiological and psychological responses experienced by individuals when physically interacting with plants utilized as live display mediums compare to the experiences facilitated by remote interaction technology.The research aims to illuminate the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants, potentially influencing future human-plant interactions