Author: geb297

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Reflection #8: Robot Programming

Synopsis: 

Similarly to Braitenberg’s Creatures, this article focused on how a series of commands can allow for robots to become more self aware and ‘intelligent’

Notes and Quotes:

“Behavior control allows us to tie together into a coherent whole all the elements of robot control”

“Behaviors are simply layers of control systems that run in parallel whenever appropriate sensors fire”

Modeling is a good solution to manipulating space as a robot but it is subject to time (the time needed to model the world before executing task) and t programming power.

Behavior fusion and suppressor nodes can be used to debug my kittenbot code

Suppressor Node: used to prioritise between two or more powerful commands as to which should be triggered b the other

The Process/task/ scheduler system work similarly to functions/modules in other coding languages

Reflection:

While this process allows for more self aware machines, it reminded me of the Chinese experiment mentioned in the embodied cognitive science article in that, as stated in the article, even though the machine can take in the place and move around accordingly, the robot cannot distinguish between a chair and a table, nor do they have a sense of object permanence. This would be the next step in making such machines intelligent.

Behavior programming works similarly to electronic bricks and I am not entirely sure of the difference

Behavior control is beneficial because it allows for an action-reaction based system [real-time robustness]. This differs from modeling which works poorly in changing or natural environments

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Reflection #7: Robot Futures

Synopsis:

The preface of this book introduces modern robotics and how it is influenced by science fiction. It shows how robots are becoming more and more aware of their surroundings and challenges the reader to imagine a world where robots live among us.

Definitions:

Modern Robotics: anything can perceive the world, make sense of its surroundings, then act to push back on the world and make change.

Questions:

My overall recurring question in this class is again challenged with this reading. The author speaks of multidisciplinary robotics and includes examples of ‘robots’ which carry out very specific tasks. From his description it seems like lifelike features (humanistic or animal-like) are not needed for a machine to be considered a robot.

How will robotics change how we communicate? It will become significantly more difficult to create common ground because while an individual will have a limited scope of something, a robot can have all the information in the world about it but still may not be able to have the shared understanding that you may have wit another human about something. 

Just a general question, what will the world look like when robots live among us. If they develop humanoid for how will this affect our perception of reality.

Reflection:

The core strands of robotics: perception, recognition and cognition. Once a robot can fully develop these skills they will be able to achieve unimaginable tasks. In the near future the world as we know it will change immensely. For better or worse one can never know.

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Reflection #6: Braitenberg Creatures

Synopsis:

This article explained different autonomous creatures created using electronic bricks inspired by Braitenberg’s creatures.

Definitions:

Electronic bricks: specifically modified LEGO Bricks with simple electronic circuits inside

Questions:

  • These creatures were made to be more child friendly. The article explains that “Children learn important ideas about living systems not just by observing creatures but by building them” However after reading on how the creatures work, isn’t it a bit complex and subtle for children below a certain age to comprehend the nuances of the various behaviours?
  • How can vehicles mimic behaviour
    • Follow up: They are not actually imitating the emotions through feeling but rather through response and reaction therefore mimicing associated actions with the given behaviours
  • Can these behaviours also be applied to a kittenbot

Reflection:

The reading was quite comprehensive and generated much though on potential structures when building future robots. It also triggered the thoughts on what it means to live. Is to live, to be able to react? I think these actions can be easily applied to the kittenbot in concept but I’m not sure of the technicalities. 

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Lab #3: Kittenbot

By: Gabrielle Branche 

 
The Kittenbot was a good start to working with robots. I really enjoyed putting it together as it reminded me of building a puzzle. The most difficult part was finishing the wiring but after quite a bit of fiddling I got it to work. My bot was able to move, turn, play music and rotate its head (although for some reason it would not turn simultaneously. Working with the code was challenging as I had to figure out what the different terms were. I attempted to make my bot do figure 8’s. While the logic of my blocks made sense, the bot started rumbling. This made me slightly unsure.
 
Code for making the kittenbot make figure 8s
Code for making the kittenbot make figure 8s
 
It is important in the future to think through the code before implementing it just to make sure that it logically makes sense before applying it to the bot. Additionally, when working with the motor it is good to have a good clear space as the bot moves quickly and can hit things or fall off the table which can break it. Finally, I admit that due to time constraints the effort and tinkering needed to fully grasp the bot was not applied to its fullest capacity but I look forward to working with the kittenbot in more detail in the future.
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Reflection #5: Biomimetics – Nature Based Innovation

Summary:

This chapter explore various examples of biomimetics and bio-inspired inventions. According to the the author on page 2:

“Nature is effectively a great laboratory where trial and error experiments are made..”

Definitions:

  • Biomimetics: Seeks to understand and use nature as a model for copying, adapting and inspiring concepts and designs
  • Natural forms – they occur naturally in ambient conditions
  • Imitations: Made made components usually created under heat and pressure
  • Robot – a biomimetic machine with humanlike features running via electromechanical mechanism with the ability to sense its environment with some degree of intelligence.

Examples:

  • Camouflage- military uniforms mimic animals to blend in
  • Beaver’s Dam – man made dames to serve similar purpose
  • Honeycomb – structure used for sound proofing (an adaptation is using egg crates)
  • Plant water system – can be studied for improved irrigation?

Questions:

With the table example, furniture is said to mimic animals which stand on four legs. Considering that the four legs widen the base thous lowering the centre of gravity this can be the reason for the structure. However was this information common knowledge when the first piece of furniture was invented?

Is it better to understand and imitate the benefits of nature (eg camouflage) or to imitate nature itself (eg robots)?

I don’t really understand the inchworm example and would need further clarification on it.

What’t the relationship between biomimetic inventions and physics. Which is dependent on the other?

If nature’s evolution has allowed for biomimetics to even be possible due to its trial and error style, wouldn’t it be counterproductive to the evolutionary process?

What is the difference between operations, such as operations in water, and bio-inspired invention. 

Reflection:

This article was very insightful in showing how much nature as influences humanity for centuries. By preserving and better nourishing our environment, we can truly learn a great deal from it and for it.