Synthetic Pollenizer

Michael Candy  

Can we save the bees?  

The world bee population is in decline and that is bad news for us humans. Bees are important pollinators, ensuring the stability of most of our food sources. Colonies are collapsing at a rapid rate due to climate change and increased use of strong pesticides on agricultural crops. Could we intervene in this real-world ecological system using robotics? These 3D printed machine flowers do just that. Watch the flowers in action as they gently extrude locally harvested pollen and secrete nectar. Designed to be placed next to real crops, these tailor-made robotic flowers create a safe, specialised environment encouraging bees to pollinate. 

Does tech have a place in ecology?  

BEWARE: pollen is an allergen so don’t touch if you get allergic with such things. 

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Michael Candy is an artist working in robotics, hardware, intervention and video. He is interested in technology that exists in harmony with the natural world. His installations and projects emerge as social experiments or ecological interventions.  

He has been involved in many international and local exhibitions such as GOMA, AGSA and Ars Electronica. In 2015 Michael won the WRO Award as part of the 16th Media Art Biennale in Poland and later Prix Cube (Paris, France) with Big Dipper. 

With thanks to Professor David Kleijn from Wageningen University for sharing discussions and research.