BIOINSPIRED HARDWARE Erki Suurjaak
Overview • bioinspired hardware • NASA’s exploration systems • robots Ariel and RHex • future?
Bioinspired Hardware • studies processes and • seeks alternative mechanisms in nature 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 • 2x smaller shock on impact than parachutes
Other Bio-Inspired Robots: Ariel • movement inspired by crabs • capable of negotiating terrain unaccessible for wheeled machines • capable of underwater movement and resisting wave impact
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 • 1,000,000 setae lift ~20 kg
Future? • bio-inspired materials continue to pop up • swarms of fast-maneuvered robots in helpful tasks
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