Cockroaches equipped with the latest software could provide vital information for first responders on the layout of previously unmapped areas, according to a paper entitled ‘Topological Mapping of Unknown Environments using an Unlocalized Robotic Swarm’ presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in November in Tokyo, Japan.
Technology4change writes:
Researchers from North Carolina State University (NCSU) have developed software that allows them to map unknown environments – such as collapsed buildings – based on the movement of a swarm of insect cyborgs, or ‘biobots.’
These biobots could provide potentially life-saving information on the layout of a building to first responders and could also determine the location of radioactive or chemical threats.
A swarm of biobots, such as remotely controlled cockroaches, would be equipped with electronic sensors and released into a collapsed building or other hard-to-reach areas. Once the swarm has had a chance to spread out, the researchers send a signal commanding the biobots to keep moving until they find a wall or other unbroken surface – and then continue moving along the wall.
Once this cycle has been completed a number of times, the new software can use an algorithm to translate the biobot sensor data into a rough map of the unknown environment.
The researchers have tested the software using computer simulations and through the use of robots. The next step will involve testing the program with biobots.
The paper, ‘Topological Mapping of Unknown Environments using an Unlocalized Robotic Swarm,’ was presented at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems being held 3-8 Nov in Tokyo, Japan.
For NCSU see: http://www.ncsu.edu/
Technology4Change Article: LINK
