What is ‘Bugbot‘?
This is a blog whose new iteration is the discussion, research and discovery of the intersection of biologics and robotics with specific focus on animal robotics. The new terminology used in this case is ‘biobot.’
A ‘biobot is a robot that is designed to: (1) imitate the structure or physiology of a biological organism; (2) connect and integrate biological and mechanical components in its operation; or (3) both. Biological functions and processes imitated or integrated with mechanical systems can include: movement (such as walking or swimming or flying), power generation (like digestion), sensing and communication (language recognition and formation), and learning and control (neural adaptation).
Biobots emulate the ability of living organisms to walk using gyroscopic balancing, algorithms to anticipate changes in center of gravity, and motion structures that imitate those of living organizations.
Biobots can extract power from chemical processing of materials from their environment, reminiscent of how biological organisms extract power with their digestive systems.
Biobots can sense and communicate using light, sound and contact in a variety of modalities and frequencies like biological creatures.
Biobots with adaptive learning capabilities may be able to survive in complex environments as do biological organisms.
As part of my research for my Masters of Fine Arts thesis, I’ll be exploring the world of animal robotics, biobots and animal-inspired creation.
– Christine Scheer (originally posted July 2008)
This blog started out as a in-class project with Sama Alshaibi who is a Professor in the School of Art at The University of Arizona. You can check out her work here.
