Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
facility for periodic checkup and possibly repair themselves as needed. Rapid prototyping will
enable fast development of this technology as improvements are introduced to the field. While
many positive aspects may result from the development of such robots with humanistic capabilities
and behavior, negative issues may arise that will require attention. Such issues may include owner
liability in case of accident or ''misbehavior'' of the robot, as well as the potential use of robots for
unlawful acts.
For many years, the beneficiaries of biologically inspired robot have been the entertainment
industry, including toys and movies. Robots with biomimetic characteristics are becoming popular
consumer products, reflecting the public fascination with the realistic capabilities that can be
enabled in robots. Such products include robotic toys such as the Mattel's Miracle Moves Baby,
which was created and developed in partnership with TOYinnovation, Inc. Miracle Moves
Baby was introduced in 2001, and sold widely at its introduction. This doll wakes up the way a
real baby would, yawns, appears tired, sucks her bottle and her thumb, giggles, burps, and is rocked
to sleep in the most life-like manner.
Further, as the evolution in capability has increased it has reached the level that the more
sophisticated and demanding fields as space science are considering biomimetic robots. At the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, which is part of the NASA, four and six-legged robots have been under
development for future missions to Mars. Such robots include the Limbed Excursion Mobile Utility
Robot (LEMUR) and the Steep Terrain Access Robot (STAR) (Badescu et al., 2005). These types
of robots are developed to travel across rough terrain, acquire and analyze samples, and perform
many other functions that are attributed to legged animals including walking, grasping, object
manipulation, and wall climbing. Advances in this technology may potentially lead to future NASA
missions, in which operations could resemble a plot from a movie or science-fiction book more than
conventional mission operations. Equipped with multi-functional tools and multiple cameras, the
new models of LEMUR are intended to inspect and maintain installations beyond humans' easy
reach. This robot has six legs, each of which has interchangeable end-effectors as required to
perform the required mission. The axi-symmetric layout is much like a starfish or octopus, with a
panning camera system that allows omni-directional movement and manipulation operations.
Besides the possibility of robots that emulate human capabilities, science fiction also suggests
humans with supernatural capabilities. A human being with bionic muscles is synonymous with
superhuman characters in movies and TV series. Driven by bionic muscles, these characters are
portrayed as capable of strength and speeds that are far superior to humans. The development of
artificial muscles using electroactive polymers (EAP) materials has made the use of bionic muscles
a potential reality. These materials can induce large strains (stretching, contracting or bending) in
response to electrical stimulation (Bar-Cohen, 2004). EAP-based actuators may be used to elimin-
ate the need for gears, bearings, and other components that complicate the construction of robots,
reducing their costs, weight, size, and premature failures. Further, these materials can be used to
make biomimetic robots that appear and behave more realistically. Robots are being introduced
with increased capability and sophistication, including the ability to express emotions both verbally
and facially as well as respond emotionally to such expressions. The first commercial product
driven by EAP that emerged in 2002 is a Fish-Robot (Eamex, Japan) that swims without a motor or
batteries. It uses EAP materials that simply bend upon stimulation. For power it uses inductive coils
that are energized from the top and bottom of the fish tank. This toy represents a major milestone for
the field, making a very realistic looking fish.
20.4.1
Simulators and Virtual Robots
For many years, the entertainment industry has been imitating living creatures using numerous
forms that include puppets, cartoons, manikins, and others. Making animated movies is a well-
established industry with an extensive heritage, where artists draw creatures that represent living
animals, humans, or imagined creatures. These cartoon figures are made with biomimetic appear-
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