| COMMUNITY |
| Message Boards Chat Feedback |
| SITE SOURCES |
| Contents Help! Search CNN Networks |
| SPECIALS |
| Quick News Almanac Video Vault News Quiz |
|
An expanded Web version of segments seen on CNN
Scientist makes robots without computer brains
April 30, 1998
Tilden
Web posted at: 1:50 p.m. EDT (1750 GMT)LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY, New Mexico (CNN) -- Canadian research scientist Mark Tilden is treading a road less traveled by other robot-constructors: rather than using digital circuits -- which is to say computers -- he uses analog equipment to control and guide what he calls his "living machines."
Tilden bases his work on his patented paradigm for robotic control known as "nervous nets."
"A nervous net is to the human body the way the neural net is to the human brain -- in other words: head and neck optional," Tilden said.
Watch the full report
VXtreme streaming video (2:15)
Tilden's nervous net is essentially a self-stabilizing (mostly solar-powered) control circuit that guides the limbs of a small robot.
The robots' simple components, such as diodes and transistors, can be tweaked to cause them to react differently to various stimuli, such as light or solid objects.
In order to build his micro robots, Tilden uses dead floppy drives, parts of old VCRs and CD players, old volt-meters, pagers, toys, etc.
Human-like robots, such as C-3PO in the science fiction movie "Star Wars," are just a myth, Tilden says. "They really are fictitious creatures, I mean, right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny."
Tilden says "computers aren't good for everything," and points out that the current computer-controlled robots are still far too prone to malfunction.
Tilden: "Personalities come out in these devices..." 
85K/7 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Mark Tilden talks about his micro robots 826K/23 sec./160x120
QuickTime movieInstead of looking at computer CPUs, he is taking his cue from nature, particularly insects. And he is trying to find out how they are built, how they move -- and how they adapt to their environment.
So far, Tilden has built more than 300 robots of 44 different species.
His goal is to develop a robot than can one day work without supervision, for example in security functions, dealing with toxic materials or working in hazardous environments.
Check out what's coming up |
Related stories:
- Swiss scientists warn of robot Armageddon - February 18, 1998
- Robotics industry makes its pitch to Congress - September 30, 1997
- Robot Wars: Violence in the name of science - August 26, 1997
- Scientists sniff out useful applications for robotic nose - April 17, 1997
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser windowExternal sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
|
Sound off on our message boards & chat |
|
© 1998 Cable News Network, Inc.
A Time Warner Company
All Rights Reserved.