Robots of the future: more R2D2 than C3PO

Researchers from the Australian National Science Agency CSIRO offered a bold insight into how robots might look. And this is nothing like C3PO or T-800 Terminator.

In a document that was just published in Ljubljana The nature of machine intelligenceThe CSIRO (AIM FSP) future active integration platform says robots will soon be able to take on their engineering results of evolution and thus create truly surprising and effective models.

This concept, known as Multi-Level Evolution (MLE), claims that current robots fight in unstructured and complex environments because they are not specialized enough and should imitate the incredibly varied adaptive animals that they have survived in their environment.

Head of the author, dr. David Howard said: "Evolution is not interested in what it looks like. It looks for a much wider design space and offers effective solutions that would not be immediately apparent to the human designer."

"An animal, such as a manta ray or a kangaroo, may look unusual for human eyes, but it is completely calibrated for its environment."

The document argues that in just 20 years of state-of-the-art technologies, such as high-performance detection and characterization, advanced production and artificial intelligence can allow robots to form at a molecular level to carry out their mission in extremely difficult circumstances.

Algorithms based on natural evolution would automatically form robots by combining various materials, components, sensors, and behaviors. Advanced, computer-based modeling could then quickly test prototypes in simulated, "real" scenarios, to decide which works are best.

The end result would be simple, small, highly integrated, highly specialized and highly cost-effective precision of robots tailored to their tasks, environment and field. They adjust themselves and automatically improve their performance.

An example is a robot designed for basic environmental monitoring in extreme environments. He should cross heavy terrain, gather data and eventually completely decompose in order not to pollute the environment.

The MLE approach to robot design would be entirely dependent on terrain, climate and other factors.

The robot, designed to work in the Sahara Desert, should use materials that can survive the punishment of heat, sand and dust. It can be powered by solar energy, moves along sand dunes and uses sharp UV light as a trigger, which can eventually be decomposed.

The thick, low-lying vegetation of the Amazon would be a completely different challenge. The robot, designed for this environment, could crawl around trees and fallen logs, feed on biomass, such as a plant material that covers the ground in the jungle and decomposed with moisture.

In both cases, MLE will automatically select the appropriate materials and components in a high-performance robot design based on how well a robot performs a given task. A constantly more flexible process than current approaches that require engineers to design only one robot.

Director of AIM FSP, dr. Danielle Kennedy, said that CSIRO is committed to leading scientific thinking and began this collaboration with international researchers to understand the nature of the future in robotics. Lorraine in France and the Australian University La Trobe and Monash. "

"The Future Scientific Platform program is part of CSIRO's investment in creating the industry's future in Australia and helping train the next generation of researchers. The focus of AIM is not limited to robots, we are also exploring the future of food, production, environmental monitoring and industrial design."

He assures him
CSIRO