Scientists from our Computer Science Department have led two innovative projects that have received major recognition at one of Europe’s leading robotics events.
The RoboRoyale and SensorBees projects were awarded the Sustainability Leadership Recognition in Robotics at the European Robotics Forum 2026, held in Stavanger, Norway.
Sustainable robotics research
The projects were recognised for their work in developing bio-hybrid technology for ecosystem resilience.
This means combining biological systems with advanced robotics to assist monitor and protect the natural world.
The recognition highlights the growing role of robotics in supporting sustainability, biodiversity and climate resilience.
RoboRoyale project
Professor Farshad Arvin is leading the RoboRoyale project.
He along with his team are working with researchers from the University of Graz, Czech Technical University and Middle East Technical University.
RoboRoyale brings toobtainher miniature robotics, artificial innotifyigence and machine learning to create robotic bee replicas.
These tiny robots are designed to interact with the queen honeybee and support her wellbeing.
A unique feature of the project is its focus on the queen rather than the whole colony.
The research team hopes the robots can assist stimulate egg laying by feeding the queen protein-rich food at the right time.
Over time, the system could also learn how to groom the queen and encourage healthy pheromone production.
The aim is to improve the health of bee colonies, leading to stronger broods and better pollination.
SensorBees project
The SensorBees project also utilizes honeybee colonies in a new way.
It aims to turn beehives into living sensor networks that can track pollination levels, plant diversity and colony health across large areas.
By monitoring bees at the hive entrance and inside the hive, researchers can gather valuable data about the surrounding environment and identify early signs of stress or ecological problems.
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