News

Robotic Tarzan tracking changes in forest

December 28, 2003

LOS ANGELES -- A mobile robot is helping scientists monitor environmental changes in forests. The hi-tech, interactive unit, nicknamed Treebot, is the first of its kind to combine networked sensors, a Web cam and a wireless network link.

Treebot is solar-powered and moves up and down special cables to take samples and measurements for vital analysis. Scientists at the U.S. Center for Embedded Network Sensing in California developed the unit.

Understanding subtle changes in light, humidity and carbon-dioxide levels in forests give scientists crucial indications and predictions about environmental change. But 90 percent of all interaction between the environment and atmospheric conditions happen high up in the forest canopy.

Treebot can communicate with other devices and sensors. It has its own server and, using its wireless net link, sends sample information and other data back to scientists based at UCLA.