Bees are the unsung heroes of agriculture, tirelessly pollinating over 75 of the worlds food crops, from coffee and almonds to avocados and apples. Yet, their populations are plummeting at an alarming rate, threatening global food security. In South Africa, a country where crops like citrus and avocados drive both exports and local livelihoods, this crisis looms large.
The culprits? Habitat destruction, pesticides, climate change, and disease. The stakes? A food supply valued globally at over 577 billion annually.
Enter robotic pollinators tiny, tech-powered marvels designed to step in where natural pollinators are struggling. But can machines really fill the void left by natures hardest workers? Lets explore the potential, the pitfalls and the promise of this extraordinary innovation.