Scientists create gardening robot to help out with pruning and trimming

Scientists have created a green-fingered robot that can prune roses and trim bushes, making light work of gardening chores.

Trimbot uses mapping technology to find its way around the garden and performs horticultural tasks with its advanced cutting tools.

Developers fitted five pairs of cameras and a flexible robotic arm to an automated lawnmower, made by electronics company Bosch.

The team behind the Trimbot project, co-ordinated by University of Edinburgh researchers, said prototypes could be used to maintain communal green spaces, support farmers and help people with mobility issues tend their gardens.

Professor Bob Fisher, from the university’s School of Informatics, said: “Getting the robot to work reliably in a real garden was a major feat of engineering.

“The eight partner teams developed new robotics and 3D computer vision technology to enable it to work outdoors in changing lighting and environmental conditions.”