Elemental Robotics and Inspirations from Nature

Erin Kennedy - Watch Now - EOC 2022 - Duration: 36:33

Erin Kennedy

Abstract Test Your Knowledge Questions & Comments (3)

Frogs, mycellium, albatrosses. Unexpected organisms that share similarities with embedded systems! Get ready to embark on a journey through the elements as we will explore robot prototypes that are deployed in terrestrial, water, and wind settings. In these settings, the three organisms will serve as inspiration to describe nature's analogue to the tech behind the robots.

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According to Erin, which of the following correctly describes the three methods for selecting which behavior a behavior-based robot runs?

A Fixed prioritization; action selection with activation levels that vary over time; and voting.

B Training a neural network offline, then deploying it for real-time selection.

C Using a single if-statement per behavior so the first true condition always runs.

D Full map-based planning where a global planner chooses behaviors ahead of time.

E Random or round‑robin scheduling of behaviors without considering sensors.

What was the highest-priority behavior implemented on Bowie when operating on sand, and how was it triggered?

A Detecting when the robot is stuck by monitoring current draw and disabling motors temporarily (and requesting human assist if repeated).

B Switching to IMU + GPS sensor fusion navigation whenever the wheels slip on sand.

C Always reversing immediately for a fixed time whenever turning to avoid digging into the sand.

D Disabling all sensors and running an analog BEAM-style controller to free itself.

E Immediately sending a distress LoRa packet for remote manual control whenever wheel torque changes.

What primary design principle did Erin emphasize for the Aicha underwater robot, and why was it important?

A Keep the design intentionally simple and ensure the device is neutrally buoyant so it reliably rises to the surface.

B Implement complex autonomy and mapping so it can explore the seafloor without surfacing.

C Use powerful thrusters and large batteries to actively maintain precise depth control at all times.

D Prioritize long-range LoRa communication over mechanical reliability of the surfacing mechanism.

E Include multiple redundant battery packs to avoid any single-point power failure.

Which natural sensors did Erin compare to an IMU and to a pitot tube when discussing the albatross?

A The albatross's semicircular canals / head stabilization compared to an IMU, and the tubes along its bill that measure airflow compared to a pitot tube.

B The albatross's feathers compared to an IMU, and its tail compared to a pitot tube.

C The bird's webbed feet compared to an accelerometer, and its beak tip compared to a GPS.

D The albatross's bones acting as antennas for an IMU, and its eyes acting as a pitot tube.

E The albatross's vocal sacs compared to an IMU, and its throat as a pitot system.

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Upvotes Newest Oldest

DanCogan

Score: 1 | 3 years ago | no reply

Erin
Besides your incredible technologies, your presentation is really fantastic, with so much media mixed together to tell your story. I especially enjoyed inspirations from nature. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world!

BruceE

Score: 0 | 4 years ago | no reply

Hi Erin - will you be taking one of your robots to MDRS-261 or will you be creating a new robot for MDRS-261? Thanks

GillianM

Score: 0 | 4 years ago | no reply

Erin,
Have you read Lessons from Plants by Dr. Beronda L. Montgomery? If not, you definitely have to! I love it and have read it a few times. I'm absolutely captivated by the concept of learning from nature. It sounds like you are too!

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