Graduate
Category: Security/Sustainability
Degree Level: PhD
Abstract ID# 960
Controlling a Biomimetic Lobster Robot with an Electronic Nervous System
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Qingchao Kong , Daniel Blustein , Prof. Joseph Ayers
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Bioengineering1 , Biology 2 , Biomimetic Underwater Robot Program, Nahant, Northeastern University
Abstract
Biorobotics seeks to endow engineered devices with the capabilities of animal models. To also validate neuronal network hypotheses, a biomimetic underwater robot, RoboLobster,
is based upon the body structure and biomechanics and controlled by an Electronic Nervous System (ENS) simulation instantiating the innate network architecture of the American
Lobster, Homarus americanus. It is a closed-loop biorobotic simulation of neuron network operation and allows validation of neuronal models of the taxes and kineses in
unpredictable real-world environments (i.e., littoral marine environments). RoboLobster realizes three aspects of a complete biomimetic platform: adaptive biomechanics,
exteroceptive reflexes, and a library of innate behavioral acts.
Background
Fast Dynamical
Spiking
Behavior
Slow Dynamical
Spiking-Bursting
Behavior
Coordinating
Neuron
Discrete Time Map-based Neuron Model
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Lobster Walking Central Pattern Generator
Exteroceptive Reflexes Network
System Overview
Antennae Bending Sensor;
Optical Flow Sensor;
Compass;
Claw Bumper.
Leg 3 DOF Antagonistic Actuation Configuration
RoboLobster Electronics Hardware Overview
Experimental Results
Bump Response
Optical Flow Response
Integration of Antennae and Visual Input
Conclusion
Compass Error Response
Integration of Optical Flow and Claw Bumps
Integration of Antennae and Claw Bumps
• We demonstrate a new type of robot controlled by a nervous system simulation adapted for
underwater walking.
• RoboLobster represents one of the first demonstrations of bio-inspired optical flow control on an
underwater walking robot.
• There are many opportunities to conduct further experiments with the development of such a
powerful biomimetic robot.
Integration of Compass and Claw Bumps
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Reference
Ayers J. (2002) A conservative biomimetic control architecture for autonomous underwater robots. In:
Ayers J., Davis J.L., Rudolph A, editors. Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots. MIT Press. Pp. 242-259.
Ayers, J. (2004). Underwater walking. Arthropod Structure & Development. 33:347–360.
Ayers J., Brady D.P., Kim Y., Tadmor G. (2005) Adaptive behavior of a biomimetic underwater robot based on
nonlinear dynamics of an electronic nervous system. Under review by the NSF Collaboratorative Research
in Computational Neuroscience Program.
Ayers, J., Blustein, D., & Westphal, A. (2012). A Conserved Biomimetic Control Architecture for Walking,
Swimming and Flying Robots. Lecture Notes on Artificial Intelligence. 7375: 1-12.
Rulkov N.F. (2002) Modeling of spiking-bursting neural behavior using two-dimensional map. Physical
Review E, 65:041922