The animals lie dormant over the summer months charging via photo voltaic solar collectors. They are then let loose late autumn and early spring to meet and play with the public, laying individually allocated annual flower seeds and bulbs as they do so before returning to charge over the next summer.

The artificial animals like all the machines, where possible use technologies involving components originating from neighbouring existing industries.

Their protective shells are made from moulded recycled plastic. Different coloured bottles are used to create a multitude of design patterns.

Artificial intelligent seed laying animal plan detail

The animals consist of: a moulded recycled plastic outer shell supported by recycled steel frame, specially designed seed/bulb laying mechanism , reclaimed car battery cells, communications pad, central processor, moisture sealed seed tank, photo-optical sensors for detection of movement and light and three spiky off road tyres linked to limited slip differential transmission system.

Their infinitely chaotic wanderings and encounters are momentarily recorded in the annual display of flowers.

Annual display of flowers

BOIDS Artificial herding and flower trail simulation

by Task Gouda

Their work is then harvested. The seeds and flowers are sold to neighbouring garden centres and florists.

Local florist, Burslem