- In the Realm of Pillnitz Castle Park, a Robotic Aide Aids Horticulturists in Irrigation
Modern Technology in Baroque Setting: The gardeners at Pillnitz Palace Park now have an unconventional aid in their arsenal. A high-tech watering bot, capable of filling itself at a refueling station and strolling at human speed to water plants as needed, is being tested out.
The robot's prototype boasts a capacity of approximately 400 liters of water and is intended for future gardening tasks beyond watering. Currently, it operates semi-autonomously; the gardener still utilizes a hose connected to the robot's tank for watering.
Castle Director Christian Striefler expressed his satisfaction with this groundbreaking development: "We're thrilled and proud to pioneer this revolutionary phase at Pillnitz Palace Park. We're the first German palace administration to employ a robot for watering." Striefler referred to the project as an initiative concerning climate change.
The creation of the robot is part of the broader climate change initiative. Collaborating with staff from the Barkhausen Institute and the Technical University of Dresden, the gardeners managed to keep the project costs within an estimated 630,000 euros, with ten percent coming from the Free State's budget. The project is supported by federal funds, specifically the "Climate Change in Historic Gardens" program.
According to the development team, the robot was primarily designed as a helper to the gardeners, aiding them in strenuous tasks. Control and steering capabilities remain with the specialized staff.
The robot can be operated remotely using a compact, portable control terminal featuring a display and input keys. The device operates autonomously only under specific conditions, like refueling, or driving to predefined GPS points for distributing materials and tools. Equipped with longevity in mind, it can operate continuously for up to 6 hours.
A dead blood beech tree stump stands as a grim reminder of climate change
The Saxon State Palaces, Castles, and Gardens joined the "Climate Change in Historic Gardens" project in 2022, funded by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building. The project focuses on mitigating the impact of climate change on historical park and garden monuments, which face unique challenges.
Researchers and gardeners are working diligently to find practical solutions. If too many trees perish, the structures themselves could be at risk.
In years prior to 2021, two towering blood beech trees located at the northwest entrance of the Pillnitz Park were a popular attraction for visitors. The trees, planted in 1895, were a distinctive feature of the pleasure garden, located between the Mountain and Water Palaces. Unfortunately, one of the beeches succumbed to the past summers' severe drought and had to be felled.
The tree's trunk now stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change. Experts predict that the opposite beech won't survive much longer, with a life expectancy of only two more years. Temporary heat-relief measures, such as more frequent watering, are being implemented while other solutions are explored.
The gardener might need to refuel the high-tech watering bot at a nearby gas station before its next operation. The unconventional aid for gardening at Pillnitz Palace Park is part of the broader mitigation strategy against climate change, funded by the "Climate Change in Historic Gardens" program based in Dresden.
