Our project, The Poacher, is a wooden floor that then has multiple Arduino devices and servos that are devices that are linked to a remote to then move the bot. We have ninja star legs that are able to dig into the muddy and dirty ground that is then able to move up and down the muddy and inclined terrain. The bot has these claws on the end of the bot which acts almost like forceps which then takes the elephant ears from its roots and removes the plant. Elephant Ears are an invasive species of plant that are taking over the banks of the LSU lakes. The area of Louisiana that the lakes are in, is in zone 9 of the USDA Hardiness Map which is right where it is perfect for elephant Ears to grow year round. This is part of why it is so difficult to get rid of them here.

Our project changes and removes the Overpopulation of Elephant ears which have poisonous roots and stems. The Poacher is intended for LSU and maybe GEC. Our project is helping the LSU lakes visitors as well as wildlife from being threatened by poisonous stems.  It can change the LSU area from being a safe place, as well as the elephant ears can be a problem for the site of the actual lakes.

We would be using a drone remote and link it to the Arduino which when then be able to grab the elephant ears and pull the stem from these plants out of the roots. Elephant ears are an invasive species in Louisiana. We are trying to pull out the elephant ears out from the ground because they are causing hazards for the viewing aspect of the lakes. In addition, the stem is poisonous towards animals and people’s skin.