Robots that can climb trees or restore coral reefs
Around 100 Bachelor's students from the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering have spent two semesters working on their Focus projects in 11 teams. They will present the results of their projects on 28 May.
22 May, 2025. 2 minutes read
The MONKEE focus project team with their climbing robot. (Image: Nicole Davidson / ETH Zurich)
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From an AI-based cage system for laboratory mice, and robots designed for use on land, in the water, or on the moon, to innovative propulsion systems for aircraft, racing cars, rockets and pods. The Focus project teams complete the entire process independently – starting with the initial project idea and design studies through to the search for sponsors and production. These are the projects they have implemented this year:
MONKEE – Tree-climbing robot
The MONKEE climbing robot has two arms and three adhesion points and can adeptly move around in trees, both vertically and sideways, adapting to different trunk shapes and surfaces. This allows it to navigate obstacles and to advance far into the tree canopy. An integrated modular platform provides a flexible foundation for a wide range of applications, allowing for integration of future capabilities, such as CO₂ measurements, collection of samples, and sensor deployment. MONKEE allows comprehensive data gathering for tree canopy research, helping us gain a better understanding of the climate and biodiversity preservation.
ReefRanger – Robotics for reef restoration
Coral reefs provide a habitat to numerous marine species, perform crucial environmental functions and are one of the ecosystems most endangered by climate change. To support their regeneration, coral is grown in underwater farms. The ReefRanger Focus project has developed an autonomous underwater robot to carry out the labour-intensive and time-consuming tasks of feeding and monitoring the coral under water. Equipped with a camera, sensors and machine learning capability, it recognises table corals, navigates to them directly and supplies the coral with nutrients and probiotics. Its soft, flexible feeding mechanism protects the delicate corals. ReefRanger makes the restoration of coral reefs more efficient and scalable.
ARGOS – Welfare monitoring for mechatronic mouse enclosures
The ARGOS Focus project is developing a smart cage system for laboratory mice that meets current animal welfare standards and complies with the latest monitoring requirements. A highly integrated, mechatronic system continuously tracks the mice’s activity and behaviour, as well as various animal welfare aspects such as water and food intake. This allows real-time monitoring of the animals’ well-being. The team is collaborating on this project with experts from neurosciences, ethics, animal welfare, veterinary medicine and the ETH AI Center.
2024/25 Focus project rollout
Exhibition
Students will be presenting the results of their projects at a public exhibition: Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 12 noon until 5.30 p.m., LEE building, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8081 Zurich.
Presentations
The teams will provide an insight into their projects at a presentation in the Main Building: Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 2.00 p.m. until 3.50 p.m., in the Audi Max, Main Building, F 30, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zurich.