Cable-Suspended Robot for Algae Harvesting

This paper presents a novel application for a portable 4-cable-suspended point end-effector robot, that of algae harvesting from large (1–4 acres) outdoor circulating pond systems. Algae, used as an alternative energy crop to produce biofuels (and other consumer products), still remain too expensive. One of the greatest expenses in processing algae is the harvesting process. To replace the typical energy-intensive pumping of the entire pond water through algae filters, we propose using a cable-suspended robot to collect algae, which largely then drains while the robot translates the product to a collection point. An additional benefit of our concept, in additional to lower harvesting cost, is that the algae still growing in the pond is not shocked as in the current pumping process, leading to better, healthier yields.