Biomimetic Design

James Tacey, Aditi Shinde

Biomimetic Systems Neural Networks Biological Redundancy Self-Repair Artificial Intelligence

Neural Networks Groups of connected nodes or neurons Capable of finding non-linear patterns Highly adaptable to new inputs stimuli Excellent choice for control systems of

biomimetic locomotion

Biological Redundancy Many animals have redundant systems Systems allow continued functionality after a

limb or other system is damaged Redundancy prevents single point-of-failure in

the system Adaptation to a robotics allows for more

longer and more reliable functionality

Self-Repair Animals are capable of healing and repairing

damage done Repair algorithms and self-repairing materials Allows robot to become more durable and

capable of lasting in more harsh environments

Artificial Intelligence Still in early stages of research Robots can be ‘taught’ very simple tasks Would allow robots to adapt Wide variety of application in robotics, ability

to ‘learn’ variety of tasks

Artificial Muscles Shape Memory Effects Electroactive Polymers Chemical Muscles

Shape Memory Effects Use of materials that ‘remember’ shapes Material is ‘taught’ a shape Temperature controlled ‘muscle’ Slow but more durable ‘muscle’ for robotic

applications

Electroactive Polymers Polymers that change shape Electrically stimulated Highly pliable materials with a wide-variety of

applications

Chemical Muscles Similar to biological muscles Non-combustible chemical reaction drives

cylinder Higher energy density than electricity

Evolutionary Robotics Hardware and software co-evolution Use of genetic algorithms and neural networks Allows more adaptive design Requires less trial and error Effective for developing robotic gaits

Robotic lobster

Lamprey-based undulatory vehicle

CWRU’s Robot V

CWRU’s Cricket microrobot

Standford’s iSprawl

Fraunhofer Institute’s Scorpion

Mesoscale robot quadruped

Snake robot S7

RoboTuna

VCUUV

Georgia Tech’s Entomopter

Neural oscillator control network for Rodney

Oct-1b

Sony quadruped robot

Koharo

Random morphology robot

Self-modeling robot

Golem

Genobots

CCSLs Nonaped