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Plants can now take selfies with the world’s first plant-powered camera system

Oct 22, 2019 by Dunja Djudjic 1 Comment

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Taking selfies is so easy even a monkey could do it. But would you ever think a plant could take a selfie? Well, sort of. The scientists at ZSL London Zoo have developed the world’s first plant-powered camera system. It uses the energy from a fern named Pete which powers the camera – so the plant can take its own photo.

The plant selfie-taker

Meet Pete, the world's first selfie plant. ??

Posted by BBC London on Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Basically, the tiny camera uses the energy a plant produces while feeding the bacteria in the soil. Here’s how the ZSL scientists explain it:

“Plants naturally deposit biomatter as they grow, which in turn feeds the natural bacteria present in the soil, creating energy that can be harnessed by fuel cells and used to power a wide range of vital conservation tools remotely, including sensors, monitoring platforms and camera traps.”

The tiny camera can snap a photo every 20 seconds. It’s an astonishing rate, considering that it’s powered only by plant energy. “Pete has surpassed our expectations,” says ZSL’s Conservation Technology Specialist Al Davies. “He’s been working so well we’ve even accidentally photobombed him a few times!”

We're glad to see our animals aren't the only ones who've taken an interest in Pete, our maidenhair fern who's become the worlds first plant to take a selfie. https://t.co/gzzKvs6DPn https://t.co/fgeQRXMDLI pic.twitter.com/tg0hhKEwYX

— ZSL London Zoo (@zsllondonzoo) October 16, 2019

The plant-powered camera is a groundbreaking discovery when it comes to conservation efforts. As all photographers know – battery life isn’t limitless (unfortunately). Even solar panels have their limitations: they rely only on the sunlight, which may not always be available. However, Davies explains that “plants can survive in the shade, naturally moving into position to maximise the potential of absorbing sunlight.” This means that the “potential for plant-powered energy is pretty much limitless.”

Plant-powered cameras can be used to record data in inhospitable and remote rainforest locations. These data could help conservationists to better understand the environment and climate changes, and understand and possibly prevent habitat loss.

I find this invention pretty epic and interesting, and of course – it will definitely be useful when applied. But what I also find kinda fun is that not only animals can take selfies – plants can now do it, too. : )

[via DPReview, ZSL London Zoo]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

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Filed Under: news Tagged With: Conservation, Plants, research

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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