Biomimetic and neuro-robotics

Biomimetic robotics research combines our curiosity of how biological systems work with our desire to solve hard engineering problems. Through the development of embodied physical models of biological sensori-motor systems, that can be embedded into physical environments, we can test current hypotheses of biological functionality and evaluate possible directions for technical exploitation. Similarly, neuro-robotics refers to biomimetic robotic systems developed for revealing or exploiting the computational principals of neural systems.

Current Projects

Bella, Bio-inspired control of electro-active polymers for next generation soft robots (2012-2015)

To develop an adaptive control algorithm based on proposed functionality of cerebellum applied to next generation, EAP based, soft-bodied robotics.

De-Mine, Tactile sensing applied to underwater autonomous vehicles for near shore survey and de-mining (2012-2016)

To investigate the use of biomimetic whisker sensors for underwater mine counter measures.

Completed Projects

BIOmimetic Technology for vibrissal ACtive Touch (2009-2011)

New technologies inspired by the whisker morphology and neural processing systems of the Norwegian rat and the Etruscan shrew.

ICEA: SCRATCHbot (2006-2009)

Artificial touch technologies for robots that also help us understand how the brain controls the movement of the sensory systems.

Whiskerbot (2003-2006)

An artificial whisker system which could provide a novel form of robot tactile sensor.

Page last updated 8 November 2012