Speculative Proposal / Conceptual Design: 

The members for this project are: Kaleb Crawford, George Wang, Ana Mernik and Jen Liu

Our vision for a tool for tending is a series of inflatable topography modules that create the floor of our biome. These interlocking modules are chambers that can deflate/inflate at different rates to create the most ideal situation for plant growth using fans and a valve system. The arrangements of modules can potentially accommodate water distribution, decomposition and allow for adequate sunlight positioning of plants in the biome.

In thinking of the garden, we decided that our goal was to encourage growth of the plants, whatever form it may take, in order to create a healthy biome. At first we were thinking of a “top-down” approach such as creating a robot arm that could tend to the needs of the plants. However, we decided to then consider the opposite, a “bottom-up” approach, and thinking of how we could modify the surface in this way. Also rather than thinking of a tool that lives in the biome, we also wanted to consider how we can think of the habitat as a whole - as sort of a living organism that can change depending on the conditions presented. In using inflatables and principles of soft robotics for our design, we are also less likely to damage the plants. By creating a modular floor, the biome can adapt to whatever conditions may occur during the 18 month period on Mars.