What is Princeton's Swarm Garden?

The Swarm Garden is a proof-of-concept project by Princeton University researchers featuring an array of 40 interconnected mini-robots that respond to environmental stimuli like light.

How do the SGbots work?

Each SGbot has light and proximity sensors and an actuator to extend or retract a plastic sheet, enabling collective responses like blooming or buckling.

What are the applications of the Swarm Garden?

Potential applications include adaptive shading for buildings and creative interactive interior designs, inspired by natural systems.

Home / Science / Robots Bloom Like Flowers Adapting to Light

Robots Bloom Like Flowers Adapting to Light

22 Jan

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Summary

Robotic swarms can dynamically adapt facades like flowers.
Inspired by nature, robots mimic collective behavior of ants and birds.
Princeton's Swarm Garden offers glimpse into adaptive living architecture.

Robots Bloom Like Flowers Adapting to Light

Princeton University researchers have created a "Swarm Garden," a collection of 40 interconnected mini-robots called SGbots. These robots can dynamically change their form, extending or retracting thin sheets to "bloom" or buckle, mimicking natural responses to environmental cues like light.

Inspired by the collective intelligence of ant swarms and flocking birds, the SGbots utilize a Wi-Fi network for communication and collective decision-making. This technology holds potential for architectural applications, such as dynamic building facades that adapt to changing sunlight for shading.

Demonstrated in two case studies, the Swarm Garden provided adaptive shading on an office window and served as an interactive art installation where users controlled bot movements via gestures. Future developments aim for real-world architectural feasibility and more sustainable materials.