Máquinas sostenibles Rob Cuando los robots aprenden de la naturaleza

Researchers are calling for a fundamental shift in robotics design, advocating for machines that are not only more intelligent but also sustainable. A group of international scientists has published a manifesto in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, urging the creation of a new field known as sustainable robotics. The goal is to ensure that future robotic systems contribute positively to ecological, social, and economic conditions while minimizing their environmental impact. The initiative was spearheaded by Barbara Mazzolai, a robotics researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa and co-author of the manifesto. She emphasized that traditional metrics such as precision, speed, and autonomy, once the primary benchmarks for evaluating robot performance, are no longer sufficient. “We must consider from the outset how a technology will affect the environment, people, and society, not just in the short term, but over the long run,” she told the Italian-speaking Swiss public broadcaster RSI. A central concern of the researchers is integrating sustainability into the early stages of developing new robotic systems. This includes considerations such as energy consumption, material selection, and end-of-life disposal. Mazzolai explained, “We need to ask ourselves how much energy a robot requires and whether materials used are scarce or difficult to recycle.” These questions should not be addressed after a product has already been launched onto the market, she added. Mazzolai pointed to plastics as an example of this issue. Their environmental consequences became apparent only years after they were introduced. “These challenges cannot be solved by a single discipline alone,” she said. Collaboration among engineers, computer scientists, and experts in biology, ecology, medicine, agronomy, and social sciences is essential to address these complex issues. One promising approach involves biomimicry, or bionics, the development of technical solutions inspired by nature. Mazzolai noted that nature constantly balances efficiency, adaptability, energy use, and available materials. “We face similar questions today in technology,” she said. Her research team has drawn inspiration from plant roots, creating robots capable of exploring soil with minimal disruption. Such systems could find applications in agriculture and environmental monitoring. Additionally, the researchers are working on concepts for robots that operate without batteries. They draw inspiration from certain plant seeds, which move solely in response to changes in temperature and humidity. Long-term goals include the development of biodegradable or reusable robots designed to monitor forests, oceans, or remote areas without disturbing delicate ecosystems. This movement reflects a growing awareness within the scientific community that technological innovation must align with broader societal and environmental values. As the field of robotics continues to evolve, the integration of sustainability principles promises to redefine both its purpose and its potential impact on the world.