Page 168 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

DARPA’s objective is to have its 50 cm (20 in) robot scorpion reach a
target 40 km (25 miles) away in the desert and then return—entirely on its
own, without receiving any directions. 108
Designed by Frank Kirchner and Alan Rudolph at Northeastern
University in Boston, the robot has no ability to “think through” complex
problems. Upon encountering a difficulty, it merely relies on its reflexes.
This allows it to overcome any obstacles that might impede its progress—
a rock, for example. At the front, the robot has two ultrasonic sensors.
Should it encounter an obstacle more than half its own height, it will try
going around it. If the detector on the left identifies an obstacle, it will
turn to the right. The robot can be asked to go to a specific region and,
with a camera in its tail, send back to base images of the location.
The U.S. Army was greatly impressed by the trials held in Arizona.

Camera and radio connections

1

Ultrasound sensors

1 1 Infrared sensors
Rocky terrain
2

3

4

Target