Biomorphic robotics
Encyclopedia
For the art movement, see biomorphism
.
Biomorphic robotics is a sub-discipline of robotics
focused upon emulating the mechanics
, sensor systems, computing
structures and methodologies used by animal
s. In short, it is building robots inspired by the principles of biological systems.
One of the most prominent researchers in the field of biomorphic robotics has been Mark W. Tilden, who has taken Rodney Brooks
' theory of removing the world model from robots to a low hardware level not even using microprocessors. This is not to say the lack of microprocessors makes something biomorphic - quite the contrary. There is a huge amount of work be done implementing biological nervous and neural networks into computing devices.
In contrast M. Anthony Lewis
has used the field of biomorphic robots to study how humans and animals use "biologically inspired principles" to negotiate the complexities of the real world.
The difference between neuromorphics and biomorphics is believed to be that neuromorphics focuses on analogue control and sensor systems as opposed to biomorphics trying to implement biological methods on the whole system.
An excellent example of a biomorphic machine is the robot snake
.
Biomorphism
Biomorphism is an art movement that began in the 20th century. It patterns artistic design elements on naturally occurring patterns or shapes reminiscent of nature. Taken to its extreme it attempts to force naturally occurring shapes onto functional devices, often with mixed results.-History:The...
.
Biomorphic robotics is a sub-discipline of robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
focused upon emulating the mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
, sensor systems, computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
structures and methodologies used by animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s. In short, it is building robots inspired by the principles of biological systems.
One of the most prominent researchers in the field of biomorphic robotics has been Mark W. Tilden, who has taken Rodney Brooks
Rodney Brooks
Rodney Allen Brooks is the former Panasonic professor of robotics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since 1986 he has authored a series of highly influential papers which have inaugurated a fundamental shift in artificial intelligence research...
' theory of removing the world model from robots to a low hardware level not even using microprocessors. This is not to say the lack of microprocessors makes something biomorphic - quite the contrary. There is a huge amount of work be done implementing biological nervous and neural networks into computing devices.
In contrast M. Anthony Lewis
M. Anthony Lewis (roboticist)
M. Anthony Lewis, Ph.D., is a robotics researcher and CEO of Iguana Robotics, a company specializing in the development of biomorphic robotics technologies....
has used the field of biomorphic robots to study how humans and animals use "biologically inspired principles" to negotiate the complexities of the real world.
The difference between neuromorphics and biomorphics is believed to be that neuromorphics focuses on analogue control and sensor systems as opposed to biomorphics trying to implement biological methods on the whole system.
An excellent example of a biomorphic machine is the robot snake
Snakebot
A snakebot is a biomorphic hyper-redundant robot that resembles a snake.Snake robots come in all shapes and sizes, from the three meters long, fire fighting snakebot developed by SINTEF, to a medical snakebot developed at Carnegie Mellon University that is thin enough to maneuver around organs...
.
External links
- One of the more prolific annual Biomorphic conferences is at the Neuromorphic Engineering Workshop. These academics meet from all around the world to share their research in what they call a field of engineering that is based on the design and fabrication of artificial neural systems, such as vision chips, head-eye systems, and roving robots, whose architecture and design principles are based on those of biological nervous systems.