EPFL · Wetenschap

Robotics Reimagined for Sustainability

EPFL researchers are advocating for a shift in how robots are evaluated, moving beyond mere technical performance to consider their contribution to sustainability goals. This new field, termed 'Sustainability Robotics,' emphasizes robots that not only use resources more efficiently but also actively help solve environmental challenges.

The traditional focus on robot intelligence and autonomy is being challenged by research suggesting that a robot's impact on sustainability goals is equally crucial. For instance, a robot designed for rapid solar panel installation, while efficient, might be unsustainable if its construction and operation costs outweigh the clean energy benefits due to expensive materials and frequent recharging. This highlights the tension between robotic performance and sustainability, as robots rely on energy-intensive systems and finite resources.

Current research in robotics and sustainability follows two paths: developing robots that enable sustainable resource use and creating robots that are themselves more sustainable through improved energy efficiency, biodegradability, or recyclability. A new manifesto proposes extending these approaches into a broader framework that evaluates robots based on their overall contribution to sustainability, defining a new discipline called Sustainability Robotics.

Sustainability Robotics proposes three core principles: robotic systems should be minimally invasive, universally accessible, and symbiotic, creating value for people, economies, and ecosystems. Researchers argue that sustainability challenges can drive innovation, leading to new engineering solutions. Examples include the eel-inspired Envirobot for autonomous water quality monitoring and an 'edible' aquatic robot made from fish food, equipped with biodegradable sensors, which can feed aquatic organisms at the end of its life.

The concept of symbiosis in Sustainability Robotics explores how robots can create value across domains. Initiatives like RoboFood investigate edible robots and roboticized food systems for applications in healthcare, food production, and environmental sustainability, potentially reducing electronic and food waste. In construction, research focuses on adapting robotic workflows to use irregular and reclaimed materials, reducing waste and inspiring adaptive human-robot interactions.

Further research embeds sustainability into robot design from the outset, such as simplified, energy-efficient robotic control. The quadruped robot PAWS, inspired by nature, can run using compliant materials and synergistic joints without activating motors, demonstrating how mechanical design can achieve robust locomotion. This approach suggests a vision where lessons from nature inspire robots that help understand and protect the environment, making sustainability a key performance metric for future robots.

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