Undersea Robot

8/3/2019 Undersea Robot

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Undersea robot

Biomimetic Underwater

Robot Program



Biomimetic Robots

We are developing neurotechnology based on the neurophysiology and

behavior of animal models. We developed two classes of biomimetic

autonomous underwater vehicles (see above). The first is an 8-legged

ambulatory vehicle that is based on the lobster and is intended for

autonomous remote-sensing operations in rivers and/or the littoral zone

ocean bottom with robust adaptations to irregular bottom contours,current and surge. The second vehicle is an undulatory system that is

based on the lamprey and is intended for remote sensing operations in the

water column with robust depth/altitude control and high

maneuverability. These vehicles are based on a common biomimetic

control, actuator and sensor architecture that features highly



modularized components and low cost per vehicle. Operating in concert,

they can conduct autonomous investigation of both the bottom and water

column of the littoral zone or rivers. These systems represent a new class

of autonomous underwater vehicles that may be adapted to operations in

a variety of habitat

Cyberplasm

We are collaborating with investigators at The University of California,

The University of Alabama and Newcastle University to apply principles

of synthetic biology to the integration of a hybrid microbot. The aim of

this research is to construct Cyberplasm, a micro-scale robot integrating

microelectronics with cells in which sensor and actuator genes have been

inserted and expressed. This will be accomplished using a combination of

cellular device integration, advanced microelectronics and biomimicry; an

approach that mimics animal models; in the latter we will imitate some ofthe behavior of the marine animal the sea lamprey. Synthetic muscle will

generate undulatory movements to propel the robot through the water.

Synthetic sensors derived from yeast cells will be reporting signals from

the immediate environment. These signals will be processed by an

electronic nervous system. The electronic brain will, in turn, generate

signals to drive the muscle cells that will use glucose for energy. All

electronic components will be powered by a microbial fuel cell integrated

into the robot body.

This research aims to harness the power of synthetic biology at the

cellular level by integrating specific gene parts into bacteria, yeast and

mammalian cells to carry out device like functions. Moreover this

approach will allow the cells/bacteria to be simplified so that the



input/output (I/O) requirements of device integration can be addressed.

In particular we plan to use visual receptors to couple electronics to both

sensation and actuation through light signals. In addition synthetic biology

will be carried out at the systems level by interfacing multiple cellular

/bacterial devices together, connecting to an electronic brain and ineffect creating a multi-cellular biohybrid micro-robot. Motile function will

be achieved by engineering muscle cells to have the minimal cellular

machinery required for excitation/contraction coupling and contractile

function. The muscle will be powered by mitochondrial conversion of

glucose to ATP, an energetic currency in biological cells, hence combining

power generation with actuation.



RoboBees We are collaborating with investigators at Harvard University School of Engineering

and Applied Sciences, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering andCentEye to develop colonies of Robotic Bees. This project integrates approaches at

the body, brain and colony level. Inspired by the biology of a bee and the insectÕshive behavior, we aim to push advances in miniature robotics and the design of compact high-energy power sources; spur innovations in ultra-low-power computing

and electronic smart sensors; and refine coordination algorithms to manage multiple,independent machines



Electronic Nervous Systems

We are also developing neuronal circuit based controllers for both robots

and neurorehabilitative devices. These controllers are based on

UCSD Electronic Neurons and and UCSD Discrete Time Map-basedneurons.



Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots

Edited by Joseph Ayers, Joel L. Davis and Alan Rudolph

The goal of neurotechnology is to confer the performance advantages of animal systems on robotic

machines. Biomimetic robots differ from traditional robots in that they are agile, relatively cheap, and able

to deal with real-world environments. The engineering of these robots requires a thorough understanding of

the biological systems on which they are based, at both the biomechanical and physiological levels.

This book provides an in-depth overview of the field. The areas covered include myomorphic actuators,

which mimic muscle action; neuromorphic sensors, which, like animal sensors, represent sensory modalities

such as light, pressure, and motion in a labeled-line code; biomimetic controllers, based on the relatively

simple control systems of invertebrate animals; and the autonomous behaviors that are based on an

animal's selection of behaviors from a species-specific behavioral "library." The ultimate goal is to develop a

truly autonomous robot, one able to navigate and interact with its environment solely on the basis of

sensory feedback without prompting from a human operator.

About the Editors

Joseph Ayers is Director of the Marine Science Center and Associate Professor of Biology at Northeastern

University.

Joel L. Davis is Program Officer, Cognitive, Neural, and Biomolecular Science and Technology Division, Office

of Naval Research.

Alan Rudolph is Program Manager in the Defense Sciences Office at DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research

Projects Agency.

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Undersea Robot