Fine Grained Robotics
Name
AI_WP_334.pdf
Description
Main article
Size
1.78 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
8c5246013de954ca80d118d9e3547cbd
Author(s)
Flynn, Anita M.
Barrett, David S.
Date Issued
February 1991
Publisher
MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Series/Report no.
MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Working Papers, WP-334
Abstract
Fine grained robotics is the idea of solving problems utilizing multitudes of very simple machines in place of one large complex entity. Organized in the proper way, simple machines and simple behaviors can lead to emergent solutions. Just as ants and termites perform useful work and build communal structures, gnat robots can solve problems in new ways. This notion of collective intelligence, married with technologies for mass-producing small robots very cheaply will blaze new avenues in all aspects of everyday life. Building gnat robots involves not only inventing the components from which to put together systems but also developing the technologies to produce the components.
This paper analyzes prototype microrobotic systems, specifically calculating torque and power requirements for three locomotion alternatives (flying, walking and swimming) for small robots. With target specifications for motors for these systems, we then review technology options and bottlenecks and sort through the tree of possibilities to pick and appropriate path along which we plan to proceed.
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