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Biomimetic Robots: A Photo Gallery
Roland Piquepaille writes "Once again, technology is imitating nature with a new class of biologically inspired robots called "Biomimetic Robots." In this very long article, IEEE Computer Magazine looks at several projects currently underway. All these projects will have practical applications a few years from now. They include robotic lobsters for underwater mine research or flying insect-based robots for future spatial missions. Other projects are about cricket-inspired robots to be used in rescue missions or scorpion-like robots to be deployed in hostile environments for humans. and of course, there are the now famous and robust "sprawling" robots based on cockroaches. For more information, read the whole very well documented article. Or read this summary for a photo gallery and direct links to all the projects."
Since biological "robots" (living creatures) seem to be a complex adaptive system it seems like a good idea to try to emulate that instead of trying to reason things out via rules, etc.
That is to say, living creatures are systems within systems, upon systems, encasing systems. It's like systems debauchery.
As an IEEE member and contributor I'd urge anyone who is actually serious about Computing to join as well. There are regularly articles in Computing and Software that act as great arguments against PHBs and also which challenge perceptions you may currently hold.
When there is an article in the IEEE about Wi-MAX or equivalent its by the chaps writing the standard and building the industry. Where there is an acticle on productivity its actually a proper study rather than a slashdot poll (not that slashdot is ever a biased source of course!).
Join the IEEE, join the computer society. Sure it means you have to not buy a new graphics card in this half of the year, but it could help your career.
I'm not on a commitee or anything, I'm just a member and its well worth the money IMO.
An Eye for an Eye will make the whole world blind - Gandhi
I have a biokinetic robot called "Pulsar, part II". It can climb the ladders, fetch a morning newspaper for me and it gets it's energy by consuming pure alcohol. I presented it on future technology symposium held in Sweden. If someone is interested in making a story of Pulsar, then please leave your contact information and I will get back to you.
Cheetahs wouldn't have wheels because they wouldn't work for them. Wheels wouldn't work so well over uneven terrain, through grassy plains, and in soft dirt. Wheels would also prevent them from turning and reacting to prey as well as their current legs allow. Also, independently moving parts (such as wheels) require maintenance likely to be outside the ability of a cheetah.
Cars were once known as the "horseless carriage." They were designed to look and act like a horse and carriage, sans horse. It would be silly to put a completely useless figure of a horse in front of the car; but robots are not designed to look like animals for appearance as much as function.
Seemingly off-topic but really related question: Why do you think most fictitious depictions of aliens are humanoid?
Seemingly off-topic but really related question: Why do you think most fictitious depictions of aliens are humanoid?
Because it's cheaper to put a human actor in a humanoid costume than to find some way of animating a ten-legged six-armed three-headed being?