this tiny autonomous robotic transforms the desert right into a verdant panorama

a robot that cultivates the desert

A’seedbot created by mazyar etehadi is a tiny autonomous robot that aims to convert the uninhabitable sandy desert soil into a verdant landscape. equipped with solar panels on its back, the tiny baby seal-like robot charges during the day and wanders the terrain at night. when identifying fertile areas, it reports them and plants seeds based on the data received from its sensors and navigation system.

‘desertification is a massive problem across the globe caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, mining, climate change and general land overuse. but much like climate change itself, desertification is a complex ecological issue that is difficult to understand,’ said mazyar etehadi in an instagram post. and that was the starting point of the project: a self-operating drone that plants seeds in the desert.all images by global grad show

transforming the desert into a garden

A’seedbot is the graduation project of the designer mazyar etehadi from the dubai institute of design and innovation. its propeller legs crawl through the sand searching for the right levels of moisture to plant the seeds. apart from the soil moisture sensor, the tiny robot features a distance sensor, while it sends reports to the user for statistical data. as the designer mentioned, this concept addresses different audiences from governmental entities to farmers and individuals responding on different topics like climate issues or agriculture. 

pet-like robot

propeller legs

project info:

name: A’seedbot

designer: mazyar etehadi

christina petridou I designboom

dec 21, 2021