University Programs and Labs
Become inspired with the fascinating projects and interdisciplinary approaches that these universities lab groups have taken in areas as diverse and elegant as bio-robotics, self-assembly of nanostructures, sensory behavior applications, biocatalysis, remanufacturing, artificial neural networks, and outreach centers.
From the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) Institute:
The Biologically Inspired Robotics Group(BIRG)
Our research interests are at the intersection between
robotics, computational neuroscience, nonlinear dynamical
systems, and machine learning. We carry out research
projects in the following areas: numerical simulations
of locomotion and movement control, dynamic simulators
of articulated rigid bodies, systems of coupled nonlinear
oscillators for locomotion control, adaptive dynamical
systems, design and control of amphibious articulated
robots, control of humanoid robots, design and control
of reconfigurable robots. We are interested in understanding
the fascinating control and learning abilities observed
in animals, and to develop systems -programs, simulations,
and robots- that exhibit and replicate those abilities.
In particular, we are interested in developing systems
that evolve, adapt, self-organize, and self-repair.
Movie file of a lamprey tracking a randomly moving object
watch video | BIRG site
Center for Design Research
at Stanford University
Technology is imitating nature with a new class of
biologically inspired robots called "Biomimetic
Robots
Sprawl robots are some of the fastest (up to 5 body-lengths
per second) and most robust
(hip-height obstacles) legged robots out there.
They are the result of close collaboration between roboticists,
manufacturing engineers and biologists. . The Sprawl
family of robots is developed at the Center for Design
Research at Stanford University.
Northeastern University
A program in neurotechnolgy is undertaking the implementation
and in-water testing of two classes of biomimetic autonomous
underwater vehicles. The first is an 8-legged ambulatory
vehicle that is based on the lobster and is intended for
autonomous remote-sensing operations in rivers and/or
the littoral zone ocean bottom with robust adaptations
to irregular bottom contours, current and surge. The second
vehicle is an undulatory system that is based on the lamprey
and is intended for remote sensing operations in the water
column with robust depth|altitude control and high
maneuverability.
These vehicles are based on a common biomimetic control,
actuator and sensor architecture that features highly
modularized components and low cost per vehicle. Operating
in concert, they can conduct autonomous investigation
of both the bottom and water column of the littoral zone
or rivers. These systems represent a new class of autonomous
underwater vehicles that may be adapted to operations
in a variety of habitat.
The Biologically Inspired Robotics Lab
at Case Western Reserve University
The Biologically Inspired Robotics Lab at Case Western
Reserve University is directed by Dr. Roger Quinn. We
are dedicated to the advancement of the field of robotics
using insights gained through the study of biological
mechanisms.
Data from biological organisms such as the Deathhead
Cockroach and crickets are used to create robots that
can flexibly traverse irregular terrain. The resulting
robots are also serving as models for understanding
the dynamics of biological systems.
Center for Interdisciplinary Bio-inspiration, Integrative
Biomechanics in Education and Research (CIBER)
at UC Berkeley
CIBER represents two major objectives. The Center for
Integrative Biomechanics in Education and Research will
lead the development of a new field of Integrative Systems
Biomechanics and train the next generation of integrative
biologists. The Center for Interdisciplinary Biological
Inspiration in Education and Research will innovate
methods to extract principles in biology that inspire
novel design in engineering and train the next generation
of scientists and engineers to collaborate in mutually
beneficial relationships.
Link below for biographies of the founding members --
Robert J. Full, Mimi Koehl, and Robert Dudley
Dickinson Lab Caltech
The main way that flies maintain stable flight is through sensory feedback from their visual system and their mechanosensory haltere system. The halteres are modifications of the hindwings (recall that dragonflies have four wings, while "true" flies are defined by having only two) into complex sensors that detect Coriolis forces proportional to the angular velocity of the fly. Thus, if a freely flying fly were to be rotated by an external force such as wind, its visual system would be capable of detecting this rotation, but the haltere system would also be stimulated, and is capable of initiating a compensatory response even in the absence of visual feedback. The halteres and visual system act in a complementary fashion, as the rotational frequency bandpass characteristics of each ensure that no matter how slowly or quickly the fly rotates, at least one of these two systems will be sensitive to the rotation (the halteres are most sensitive to fast rotations while the visual system responds better to slower rotations). The Rock-n-Roll arena allows us to quantitatively assess the relative contributions from these two systems to equilibrium flight control. Additionally, studies are currently underway to elucidate the role these two sensory systems play in terminating the rapid turns observed in free flight, called saccades.
Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Material
Systems (CBIMMS)
Duke University:
The ultimate vision of the Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Material Systems’ research and educational program is to map traditional engineering onto biology. Through this revolutionary approach, CBIMMS is developing a new paradigm for education and research, using nature as an example for engineering, while explaining nature using engineering principles and rigor. Our new curriculum serves as an integration of natural science, life science, and engineering. Center investigators use biologically inspired approaches to bridge a gap in current biomedical and bioengineering programs.
Autumn Lab Lewis and Clark College
Research in the Autumn Lab focuses on biomechanics, physiology, and
evolution of animal locomotion, and has applications in the design of legged climbing
robots and novel adhesives.
Please follow link below to read about Kellar Autumn who founded new sub-field of research: gecko adhesion
/ adhesive nanostructures at the interface between biology, physics, and materials science.
Centre for Biomimetics
at the University of Reading
Biomimetics is the abstraction of good design from nature. Nature works for maximum achievement at minimum effort. We have much to learn. Check out their recent projects at the link below:
BioRobotics Laboratory
University of Washington
Our mission is to develop science, technology, and human resources at
the interface between robotics and biological movement systems.
Our goal is to produce useful, innovative research and technology as well as trained
researchers fluent in both technological and biological systems.
Daniel Lab
University of Washington
Neurons and neuronal networks decide, remember, modulate, and control an animal¹s every sensation, thought, movement, and act. The intimate details of this network, including the dynamical properties of individual and populations of neurons, give a nervous system the power to control a wide array of behavioral functions. We want to know more about neuronal dynamics and networks; about synaptic interactions between neurons; about how neuronal signaling and behavior and control and environmental stimuli are inextricably linked. Consequently, we have begun in a multi-university, multi-disciplinary, multi-sponsor research program to integrate silicon electronics with neurobiology.
Self-Organizing Systems Research
Radhika Nagpal Lab
Our group focuses on engineering and understanding self-organizing systems. We investigate programming paradigms for acheiving robust collective behavior in multi-agent systems, drawing inspiration mainly from developmental biology and social insects. We also investigate methods for modeling cell behavior to better understand how robust collective behavior emerges at the multi-cellular level in biological systems. A common focus in all of our work is the relation between local and global behavior.
Our research areas include:
at Stanford University
One area of research is aimed at developing a new class of biologically inspired
robots that exhibit much greater robustness in performance in unstructured environments than today's
robots. This new class of robots will be substantially more compliant and stable than current robots,
and will take advantage of new developments in materials, fabrication technologies, sensors and
actuators. Applications will include autonomous or semi-autonomous tasks such as reconnaissance and
de-mining for small, insect-like robots and human interaction tasks at a larger scale. The research
involves a close collaboration among robotics and physiology researchers at Stanford, U.C. Berkeley,
Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities.
The Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab combines experimental and computational approaches to study
movement. We investigate the form and function of biomechanical systems ranging from molecular
motors to persons with movement disorders. We seek fundamental understanding of the mechanisms
involved in the production of movement, and are motivated by opportunities to improve treatments
for individuals with cerebral palsy, stroke, osteoarthritis, and Parkinson’s disease.
SDM, Shape Deposition Manufacturing,is a developing Rapid Prototyping technology in which
mechanisms are simultaneously fabricated and assembled. As shown in this figure, the basic
SDM cycle consists of alternate deposition and shaping (in this case, machining) of layers of
part material and sacrificial support material.
Robotic Life Group
Media Lab, MIT
Taking inspiration and guidance from the science of animal and human behavior, our goal is to build cooperative robots that can work and learn in partnership with people. Not only an engineering endeavour, we hope to gain scientific insight into the mechanisms that underlie this human and animal competence, and to develop a science of human-robot collaboration. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of this endeavor, our research explores a wide variety of topics including:
- Expressive movement and skillful motor control
- Natural language and gesture interfaces
- Social learning
- Psychological modeling
- Human-robot interaction and collaboration s
