BIOINSPIRED HARDWARE Erki Suurjaak Overview bioinspired hardware NASAs
BIOINSPIRED HARDWARE Erki Suurjaak
Overview • • bioinspired hardware NASA’s exploration systems robots Ariel and RHex future?
Bioinspired Hardware • studies processes and mechanisms in nature • seeks alternative hardware design and implementation
Bioinspired Hardware: Results • biomorphic robots – mostly insectlike • computer vision – navigation – shape recognition • more efficient design for mechanisms – seed pod fliers – adhesive surfaces: beyond velcro
NASAs Biomorphic Explorers • mobile platforms useful for exploration • Bioinspired Engineering of Exploration Systems (BEES) • idea: many small biomorphic explorer machines
Bee-Inspired Vision & Guidance • • amazing results with a handful of neurons simple and effective hazard avoidance compound eyes give panoramic vision simple landing with minimal computation
Dragonflies See the Horizon • additional eyes (ocelli) see a short spectrum • UV and green input combined together • result: correct attitude detected
BEES: Seed Wing Pod Fliers • • • plant inspired payload distribution 20 cm wingspan load around 60 grams simpler and smaller than parachutes slower descent than parachutes • 2 x smaller shock on impact than parachutes
Other Bio-Inspired Robots: Ariel • movement inspired by crabs • capable of negotiating terrain unaccessible wheeled machines • capable of underwater movement and resisting wave impact for
The Robot Hexapod RHex • cockroach-inspired • so far, unsurpassed robotic maneuverability • speed up to 3 meters • a possible candidate for Mars 2007
Geckos: Beyond Velcro • geckos walk on walls and ceilings • a leg can support the entire body • use weak intermolecular attraction • 1, 000 setae lift ~20 kg
Future? • bio-inspired materials continue to pop up • swarms of fast-maneuvered robots in helpful tasks
- Slides: 12