BEAM robotics
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BEAM robotics (acronym for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics) is a type of robotics that uses simple analog circuits instead of a microprocessor.
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Mechanisms
The underlying mechanism is claimed to be invented by Mark W. Tilden but the identical concept and circuit was published by Ed Rietman in 'Experiments In Artificial Neural Networks' and may predate Tilden's claim. The circuit resembles an analog sequence generator. BEAM robotics use a paradigm of minimalist electronics and occasionally solar-power (for autonomy) to construct robots with substantial robustness and longevity.
BEAM bots
Being focused on "reaction-based" behaviors (as originally inspired by Rod Brooks work), BEAM robotics attempts to copy the characteristics and behaviors of natural organisms. One goal of BEAM robotics is to promote the value of aesthetics in the design of the device, as to prove the adage "form follows function" (a good-looking robot is often better built and more robust than a poor-looking one).
BEAM is alternatively said to stand for:
- Biology Electronics Aesthetics Mechanics
- Building Evolution Anarchy Modularity
- Biotechnology Ethnology Analogy Morphology
Unlike many other types of robots, which are usually controlled by large processors, BEAM robots are built on the principle that having simple functions along with sensors is sufficient for most tasks. BEAM robots come in many shapes and sizes. BEAM robots are often modelled on insects, and can perform surprisingly complex tasks.
BEAM robots interact with their environment through nervous networks (sometimes referred to as the robot's "brain"), using random patterns with sensors and motor feedback instead of sensors and programmable logic. This approach is sometimes called the neuron approach.
Applications
Like most aspects of robotics, BEAM robotics has yet to prove to have widespread practical applications. They are used as toys and hobby robots. They are also used as teaching tools, bringing book knowledge together with real world engineering, as hands-on soldering and troubleshooting is the primary method of "programming".
One of the main hinderances to widespread application is the perceived random nature of the 'nervous network', which requires new techniques to be learned by the builder to successfully diagnose & manipulate the characteristics of the circuitry. Some say these robots exhibit the illusion of intelligence because of the design of the body and movement of the legs, and this often leads to the discussion of when does the "illusion" of intelligence meet the reality of intelligence?.
Generally, BEAM robots do not learn from past behavior, although there has been work in the BEAM community to address this issue. One of the most intensive BEAM robots leading up to this is Bruce Robinson's Hider (http://www3.telus.net/rfws/beam/hider/m_hidr_00.html), with an impressive degree of capability in a microprocessor-less design.
Publications
Patents
- Template:US patent - Method of and Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles - Tesla's "telautomaton" patent; First logic gate.
- Template:US patent - Adaptive robotic nervous systems and control circuits therefor - Tilden's patent; A self-stabilizing control circuit utilizing pulse delay circuits for controlling the limbs of a limbed robot, and a robot incorporating such a circuit; artificial "neurons".
- Template:US patent - Apparatus for locomotion in enclosed spaces
Books and papers
- Rietman, Ed, "Experiments In Artificial Neural Networks", 1988. ISBN 0-8306-0237-2
- Tilden, Mark W., and Brosl Hasslacher, "Robotics and Autonomous Machines: The Biology and Technology of Intelligent Autonomous Agents", LANL Paper ID: LA-UR-94-2636, Spring 1995.
- Dewdney, A.K. "Photovores: Intelligent Robots are Constructed From Castoffs". Scientific American Sept 1992, v267, n3, p42(1)
- Smit, Michael C., and Mark Tilden, "Beam Robotics". Algorithm, Vol. 2, No. 2, March 1991, Pg 15-19.
- Hrynkiw, David M., and Tilden, Mark W., "Junkbots, Bugbots, and Bots on Wheels", 2002. ISBN 0-07-222601-3 (Book support website (http://junkbots.solarbotics.com))
See also
- Wired intelligence
- Emergent behavior
- Photovore
- List of protosciences
- Walter Grey Walter
- Behavior-based robotics
External links
- Yahoo! BEAM robotics group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beam/messages/)
- Solarbotics.net (http://www.solarbotics.net)'s BEAM robotics community server
- SyDigital's BEAM (http://www.beam-online.com/)
- BEAM-life (http://beam-life.solarbotics.net/)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory's BEAM (http://www.nis.lanl.gov/projects/robot/)
- Walke, Kevin,"Mark Tilden Interview (http://www.exhibitresearch.com/tilden/)". Exhibit Research, March 2000
- Bruce Robinson's Hider (http://www3.telus.net/rfws/beam/hider/m_hidr_00.html)sk:BEAM