Trovador: The Tree-Planting Robot Designed to Fight Deforestation and Restore Burned Landscapes

How the Tree-Planting Robot Works on Burned and Steep Terrain

Trovador is an autonomous tree-planting robot designed to combat deforestation by restoring burned and degraded land. Developed by engineering students Marta Bernardino and Sebastião Mendonça, the project proposes an automated method capable of planting seedlings in steep, fire-affected areas where human access is difficult or dangerous.

The first prototype, introduced in 2023 by Bernardino, takes the form of a six-legged robotic “spider.” Each leg has a dedicated function:

• Front legs feature sharp tips to anchor into the ground during movement.

• Middle legs both walk and plant seedlings, equipped with quadrangular-pyramid grippers driven by a stepper motor.

• Back legs use rotating feet to compact soil around each newly planted tree.

The robot’s four-layer body includes a top compartment that stores up to six seedlings in a container made from egg cartons. The gripper retrieves each seedling individually and places it into the soil, enabling the robot to plant trees one by one with precision and repeatability.

From Prototype to Full-Scale Dog-Shaped Tree-Planting Robot

Following the initial prototype, the students are now developing a full-scale dog-shaped version of Trovador, designed to handle more complex terrain and significantly increase planting speed. The upgraded model will include:

• Advanced leg mechanisms for climbing steep or unstable ground.

• Integrated sensors that adapt planting methods to soil moisture, density, and composition.

• Drill modules to create planting holes automatically.

• Motors powering both locomotion and planting operations.

The full-scale Trovador is projected to plant around 200 trees per hour, operating autonomously across difficult landscapes. Its planting system uses a smart randomized pattern, allowing it to distribute mixed local species rather than monocultures—an essential practice for restoring ecological resilience.

Fighting Deforestation in Portugal and Beyond

Bernardino and Mendonça plan to deploy Trovador first in Portugal, where forest loss has accelerated dramatically. According to their research:

• Since 2000, Portugal has lost over 50% of its forest cover.

• In 2024, global forest loss rose by 80%, largely due to wildfires.

• Consequences include biodiversity decline, soil erosion, increased fire risk, and decreased carbon absorption.

  
  

The duo is currently running a campaign to build the full-scale robot, aiming to restore forested areas through automated, scalable replanting. After launching in Portugal, they plan to adapt and deploy Trovador in other regions facing similar challenges.

Through the development of this tree-planting robot, the young engineers hope to offer a future where burned landscapes can be regenerated efficiently, safely, and sustainably—one seedling at a time.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a designer dedicated to translating ideas into visual rhythm. His work spans motion, 3D, and graphic design — connecting creativity, technology, and human emotion.