In environments that are difficult to reach because of the hazards or hardships for humans， a device behaving like a native plant could be the answer. This approach was taken by Suyi Li， associate professor in mechanical engin-eering at Virginia Tech， and Clemson professor and collaborator Ian Walker.

在人类因危险或阻碍而难以涉足的环境中，一种模仿当地植物行为的设备或许就是解决办法。弗吉尼亚理工大学机械工程副教授李甦怡与克莱姆森大学教授伊恩·沃克采用这一理念展开了合作。

“When I started to venture into robotics a few years ago， I was surprised to see that almost all robots are inspired by humans and animals to some degree，” Li said. “However， I believe the vast plant kingdom can offer us many unique lessons on approaching the design， actuation， and operation of robots. This is how Ian and I started working on this topic together. ”

“几年前我开始勇闯机器人领域。令我感到惊讶的是，几乎所有机器人的设计都或多或少受到了人类和动物的启发。”李副教授谈道，“但我相信广袤的植物王国能够为我们带来许多独特的启示，有助于我们改进机器人的构造设计、驱动方式和运作方法。这也是我和伊恩开始在这一领域合作的契机。”

Li has established a research group that deploys the principles of origami to create novel forms of soft robotics with unique structures. Walker， a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Clemson， brings a rich background in biologically inspired robotics spanning two decades. Their proposal aims to create a broad foundation for new designs， creating robotics with technology capable of surviving in wild conditions over the long haul.

李副教授组建了一支研究团队，利用折纸的原理开发具有独特结构的新型软体机器人。沃克是克莱姆森大学电子与计算机工程教授，他凭借自己20年研究仿生机器人的丰富经验，为项目提供有力支持。两人的研究目标是为新设计奠定广泛的基础，研发出能够在恶劣自然环境中长期运作的机器人。

Robots in the wild

走进野外的机器人

Bringing together cutting-edge electronics with the unpredictability of nature is typically a clash of worlds. Technology can be a strength when electricity is available， and the environment is predictable or controlled. Those measures break down when batteries die and parts break.

将尖端电子技术与不可预测的大自然结合，通常等同于两个世界相互冲撞。当有电力供应且环境可预测或可控时，科技可以大展身手。然而，一旦电量耗尽或部件损坏，各种技术手段就会随之崩溃。

This has not prevented technology from making its way into the outdoors， but challenges have followed. Other researchers deployed sensors for wildfire detection in remote locations of California and Oregon， but have faced issues such as navigating rocky areas at high altitudes and the particulars of protected lands.

科技进入野外的脚步并未因此受阻，但随之而来的挑战也层出不穷。其他研究人员曾在加利福尼亚州和俄勒冈州的偏远地区部署野火探测器，但他们遇到了诸多问题，比如在高海拔岩石地带操作不便，还需要应对保护区的特殊条件。

Devices that need to be always on and programmed to detect such things as airborne particles or rare breeds of birds generally face two big obstacles： time and environment. These are the main challenges Li’s team is tackling. The aim isn’t to fight against the flow of nature， but to channel the very approach used by nature to produce more adaptive robotics.

有的设备需要始终处于开机状态并执行预设程序来探测空气悬浮粒子或稀有鸟类之类的东西，这类设备通常面临两大障碍：时间与环境。