A groundbreaking pilot project between ABB Robotics and non-profit organization Junglekeepers is demonstrating the potential of robotics and cloud technology in tackling deforestation. By utilizing the world’s most remote robot, ABB’s YuMi®, the project aims to automate the reforestation process in the Amazon rainforest, making it faster, more efficient, and scalable. With the destruction of the Amazon rainforest contributing to climate change, this innovative collaboration offers new hope in combating deforestation and its devastating consequences.
ABB Robotics has partnered with Junglekeepers, an organization committed to protecting 55,000 acres of the Amazon rainforest and reversing deforestation. Through ABB’s RobotStudio® Cloud technology, programming and refining YuMi’s tasks are conducted remotely from Västerås, Sweden, 12,000 kilometers (7,460 miles) away. This cutting-edge approach enables ABB experts to simulate, refine, and deploy the necessary programming for YuMi’s operations in the Amazon, effectively making it the world’s most remote robot.
In a jungle laboratory located in a remote region of the Peruvian Amazon, YuMi, ABB’s collaborative robot, has been deployed to automate essential tasks in the seed planting process. Previously a labor-intensive and manual effort, the cobot now performs tasks such as digging holes in the soil, planting seeds, compacting the soil, and marking each seedling with a color-coded tag. YuMi’s presence allows Junglekeepers to replant an area equivalent to two soccer fields every day in areas requiring reforestation.
By automating the seed planting process, Junglekeepers’ volunteers can redirect their time and resources to more impactful work, including patrolling the area to deter illegal loggers, educating locals about rainforest preservation, and planting mature saplings. Moreover, the remote and autonomous installation of YuMi overcomes the challenge of finding individuals willing to work in the remote jungle location. Once installed, YuMi can operate autonomously, requiring only occasional troubleshooting.
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The Amazon rainforest faces imminent danger due to activities like logging and land clearing for agriculture, exacerbating the effects of climate change. To combat this crisis, Dennis del Castillo Torres, Director of Forest Management Research at the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute, emphasizes the need to combine high technology, science, and local knowledge. The remote robot plays a crucial role in reforesting deforested areas quickly, contributing to the preservation of the rainforest.
ABB Robotics’ pilot project in the Amazon is made possible by their RobotStudio Cloud technology, which enables global teams to collaborate in real time. This remote programming approach enhances flexibility, refinement, and efficiency, with no loss of planting time. RobotStudio’s extensive experience in offline programming ensures accuracy between simulation and reality, reducing testing time by 50% and minimizing production downtimes.
ABB Robotics’ involvement in the Amazon pilot project aligns with their commitment to sustainable transformation through intelligent robotics and automation solutions. The company aims to support businesses in increasing productivity, reducing waste, and maximizing efficiency. Beyond this initiative, ABB will explore further opportunities to assist Junglekeepers and leverage their robotic solutions and cloud technologies to drive sustainable transformation globally.
The collaboration between ABB Robotics and Junglekeepers in the remote reforestation project showcases the potential of cloud-based robotics in combating deforestation and preserving the Amazon rainforest. By deploying YuMi, the world’s most remote robot, ABB Robotics has automated the seed planting process, allowing for faster and more efficient reforestation efforts. With the support of ABB’s innovative technology, Junglekeepers can focus on other critical tasks while working towards their mission of protecting the Amazon rainforest. This pioneering initiative highlights the significant role that robotics and cloud technology can play in addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable transformation.