How AI and Robotics can have a positive effect on climate change

There is no doubt that climate change is one of, if not the biggest challenges our generation and global community will have to face. Innovation and adapting our behaviours need to happen on a big scale and fast. Some are enforced, like remote working due to the pandemic but others need to be done proactively. I’m going to explore how the AI and Robotics space can have a potentially positive impact.

Electric Vehicles, connected cars and autonomous vehicles will have a huge impact on global emissions. EV batteries of course have an environmental impact, but we have to make the switch away from fossil fuels as soon as possible. Tesla has been leading the charge, but all OEMs are following suit and companies like Rivian and Xpeng Motors are also coming into the market with great reviews. Autonomous vehicles also are far more efficient on energy, with companies like TuSimple making autonomous trucking and logistics much more efficient per mile. Autonomy in cities will have huge impact in urban environment, with autonomy we don’t need to use land for huge parking facilities that they can change into parks!

Speaking with a candidate recently, he was detailing his experience on how he can use Deep Learning to predict extreme weather and climate events. IBM has also been working on similar projects to give companies and the public tools to be aware of natural disasters but also to learn how we can deter them in the future. My brother-in-law who works at JPL uses data science and radar technology to monitor sea-level rise. Scientists from NASA have been giving us warnings for decades, it’s time we start listening.

Robotics and automation if done correctly can also have a big effect on climate change. Companies like AMP Robotics are working directly on this challenge by using robotics and AI to automate the recycling system.

Companies like IronOx and Blue River Technology (John Deer) are utilizing Robotics, Drones and Machine Learning to predict harvest timing and yield. Using AI they can use less water and energy and detect plants for early onset of diseases.

However, are also the companies working on these innovations also working on their own carbon footprint. The energy these last data centres use, or the power involved to mine a bitcoin is not sustainable. However, like many challenges humankind has faced, innovation has played a huge part in how we can overcome it. if you’re interested to hear about opportunities in the AI and Robotics space that are having a positive impact on Climate Change, then please get in touch.

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