A pioneering soft robotic hand, created by researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has the potential to transform the intricate and labour-intensive task of nurturing baby corals in laboratory settings, presenting an innovative method for coral restoration initiatives.
The robotic hand, also referred to as a gripper, was engineered for attachment to a coral farming robot known as the Coral Husbandry Automated Raceway Machine (CHARM). CHARM, in collaboration with the Beyond Coral Foundation, seeks to implement this technology in aquariums and coral farms across the globe, facilitating the extensive cultivation of coral for reef restoration.
Dr. Josh Pinskier, a Soft Robotics Scientist at CSIRO’s Data61, indicated that the project’s objective is to partially automate the labour-intensive process of coral propagation. “Growing hundreds or thousands of juvenile coral colonies in a laboratory setting requires considerable effort and meticulous handling,” Dr. Pinskier explained. “Each coral must be meticulously transferred between tanks to ensure optimal growth conditions, a task that is currently performed entirely by hand. “This gripper mimics the dexterity of a human hand, enabling it to manage fragile coral tissue without causing damage, while also possessing the strength to lift various sizes. “By automating this procedure, we can support broader global initiatives aimed at scaling coral farming and aiding in the restoration of the world’s reefs.“
The grippers were developed utilising AI-driven generative design algorithms from CSIRO, which determined the most suitable structures for the safe and efficient handling of fragile coral.
Sarah Baldwin, a Mechatronics Engineer who conducted this research at CSIRO, noted that the design of the gripper was innovative due to the limitations of traditional robotics in corrosive saltwater environments. “In order to address corrosion issues, we utilised 3D printing to create the gripper from a combination of hard polymer and soft rubber, requiring only a minimal number of screws and bolts,” Baldwin explained. Stephen Rodan, the inventor of CHARM and President of the Beyond Coral Foundation, highlighted the pioneering aspect of the project. “This marks the first instance in history where a robotic device has successfully picked up a coral and safely transferred it between tanks using this type of soft robotic gripper,” Rodan stated. The gripper represents just one of the various attachments that CHARM can accommodate, including tools like a soft brush designed for algae removal, which enhances the efficiency of coral farming operations. Rodan emphasized that the collaboration with CSIRO was crucial in providing the specialized engineering expertise necessary to further the reef restoration initiatives of the Beyond Coral Foundation. “Our next challenge involves reintroducing the corals into their natural habitat, and a well-engineered gripper could significantly aid in the transition from growth to deployment,” Rodan remarked.
[Image: The soft robotic ‘hand’ transporting a baby coral. The hand is attached to a coral farming robot called Coral Husbandry Automated Raceway Machine (CHARM). Credit: CSIRO]
