michael candy's synthetic pollenizer artificially pollinates bees

michael candy’s synthetic pollenizer project is a conceptual intervention in real-world ecological systems using networked cybernetic flowers. inspired by natural pollenizers, these robotic replicas artificially pollinate bees, integrating into the reproductive cycle of local flora; an initiative into a cybernetic ecology.

michael candy with his reation
image © sarah werkmeister

over the years candy‘s project has gone through many iterations, from orchids to daisies. the unit pictured here is a synthetic canola flower (or rapeseed), field testing took place in dookie, victoria, australia in late 2017. candy hopes to raise awareness about sustainability by weaving technology with ecology.

video by michail candy 

some of the early editions of the pollenizer project were developed under advisement of the resource ecology group at wageningen university in the netherlands during a mentorship. this collaboration lent access to many scientific papers about experiments with bees and fake flowers providing integral information needed to execute this project.
field testing synthetic pollenizer
image © sarah werkmeister

bees are fascinating and very intelligent, they are excellent navigators and have an array of sensors much more acute than ours. the flowers are made from many different materials and processes, from 3d printed parts and glass to hand machined aluminum and brass. the initial prototypes were made from paper to speed up fabrication and get them in the field quicker.

plumbing

pollen is collected from hives using pollen traps, a routine process as pollen can be used for medicinal purposes and the nectar synthesized as a simple concoction of sugar and water. this prototype uses an array of servos and actuators to distribute pollen and nectar to the flower buds. the colour and shapes are quite important in attracting visitors.

pollen pump 

parts

a visiting bee 

pollinating a bee

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: maria erman | designboom