This book deals with locomotion control of biologically inspired robots realized through an analog circuital paradigm as cellular nonlinear networks. It presents a general methodology for the control of bio-inspired robots and several case studies, as well as describes a new approach to motion control and the related circuit architecture.

Robotic engineering inspired by biology—biomimetics—has many potential applications: robot snakes can be used for rescue operations in disasters, snake-like endoscopes can be used in medical diagnosis, and artificial muscles can replace damaged muscles to recover the motor functions of human limbs. Conversely, the application of robotics technology to our understanding of biological systems and behaviors—biorobotic modeling and analysis—provides unique research opportunities: robotic manipulation technology with optical tweezers can be used to study the cell mechanics of human red blood cells, a surface electromyography sensing system can help us identify the relation between muscle forces and hand movements, and mathematical models of brain circuitry may help us understand how the cerebellum achieves movement control. Biologically Inspired Robotics contains cutting-edge material—considerably expanded and with additional analysis—from the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO). These 16 chapters cover both biomimetics and biorobotic modeling/analysis, taking readers through an exploration of biologically inspired robot design and control, micro/nano bio-robotic systems, biological measurement and actuation, and applications of robotics technology to biological problems. Contributors examine a wide range of topics, including: A method for controlling the motion of a robotic snake The design of a bionic fitness cycle inspired by the jaguar The use of autonomous robotic fish to detect pollution A noninvasive brain-activity scanning method using a hybrid sensor A rehabilitation system for recovering motor function in human hands after injury Human-like robotic eye and head movements in human–machine interactions A state-of-the-art resource for graduate students and researchers.

The priorities of a climbing legged robot are to maintain a grasp on its climbing surface and to climb efficiently against the force of gravity. Climbing robots are especially susceptible to thermal overload during normal operation, due to the need to oppose gravity and to frequently apply internal forces for clinging. These priorities guided us to develop optimal climbing behaviors under thermal constraints. These behaviors in turn profoundly constrain the choice of gait regulation methods. We propose a novel algorithm: "travel-based" gait regulation that varies foot detachment timing, effectively modifying stride length and frequency in order to maintain gait phasing, subject to kinematic and stability constraints. A core feature of the algorithm is "travel, " a new metric that plays a similar role to relative phasing. The method results in linear equations in terms of travel, leading to straightforward tests for local and global convergence when, for example, disturbances such as foot slippage cause departures from the nominal phasing. We form recurrence maps and use eigenvalue and singular value decomposition to examine local convergence of gaits. To examine global convergence, we implemented a computational geometry technique in high-order spaces. Our travel-based algorithm benefits from a compact code size and ease of implementation. We implemented the algorithm on the RiSE and Stickybot III robots as well as a virtual hexapod in a physics simulator. We demonstrated quickly converging gaits on all platforms as well as gait transitions on Stickybot III and the virtual hexapod.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Bio-Inspired Robotics" that was published in Applied Sciences

This invaluable book is a unique collection of tributes to outstanding discoveries pioneered by Leon Chua in nonlinear circuits, cellular neural networks, and chaos. It is comprised of three parts. The first OCo cellular nonlinear networks, nonlinear circuits and cellular automata OCo deals with Chua''s Lagrangian circuits, cellular wave computers, bio-inspired robotics and neuro-morphic architectures, toroidal chaos, synaptic cellular automata, history of Chua''s circuits, cardiac arrhythmias, local activity principle, symmetry breaking and complexity, bifurcation trees, and Chua''s views on nonlinear dynamics of cellular automata. Dynamical systems and chaos is the scope of the second part of the book, where we find genius accounts on theory and application of Julia set, stability of dynamical networks, chaotic neural networks and neocortical dynamics, dynamics of piecewise linear systems, chaotic mathematical circuitry, synchronization of oscillators, models of catastrophic events, control of chaotic systems, symbolic dynamics, and solitons. First hand accounts on the discovery of memristors in HP Labs, historical excursions into OCyancient memristorsOCO, analytical analysis of memristors, and hardware memristor emulators are presented in the third and final part of the book.The book is quintessence of ideas on future and emergent hardware, analytic theories of complex dynamical systems and interdisciplinary physics. It is a true Renaissance volume where bright ideas of electronics, mathematics and physics enlighten facets of modern science.The unique DVD covers the artistic aspects of chaos, such as several stunningly melodious musical compositions using chaotic atttractors, a virtual gallery of hundreds of colorful attractors, and even a cartoon-like play on the genesis of Chua''s circuit that was based on a widely acclaimed performance in Rome and other venues in Italy. In short, it is a veritable kaleiscope of never-before-published historical, pedagogical, and futuristic technical visions on three timely topics of intense interest for both lay readers and experts alike."

This book deals with locomotion control of biologically inspired robots realized through an analog circuital paradigm as cellular nonlinear networks. It presents a general methodology for the control of bio-inspired robots and several case studies, as well as describes a new approach to motion control and the related circuit architecture. Bio-inspired Emergent Control of Locomotion Systems provides researchers with a guide to the fundamentals of the topics. Moreover, neuro-biologists and physiologists can use the book as a starting point to design artificial structures for testing their biological hypotheses on the animal model.

Robotic engineering inspired by biology—biomimetics—has many potential applications: robot snakes can be used for rescue operations in disasters, snake-like endoscopes can be used in medical diagnosis, and artificial muscles can replace damaged muscles to recover the motor functions of human limbs. Conversely, the application of robotics technology to our understanding of biological systems and behaviors—biorobotic modeling and analysis—provides unique research opportunities: robotic manipulation technology with optical tweezers can be used to study the cell mechanics of human red blood cells, a surface electromyography sensing system can help us identify the relation between muscle forces and hand movements, and mathematical models of brain circuitry may help us understand how the cerebellum achieves movement control. Biologically Inspired Robotics contains cutting-edge material—considerably expanded and with additional analysis—from the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO). These 16 chapters cover both biomimetics and biorobotic modeling/analysis, taking readers through an exploration of biologically inspired robot design and control, micro/nano bio-robotic systems, biological measurement and actuation, and applications of robotics technology to biological problems. Contributors examine a wide range of topics, including: A method for controlling the motion of a robotic snake The design of a bionic fitness cycle inspired by the jaguar The use of autonomous robotic fish to detect pollution A noninvasive brain-activity scanning method using a hybrid sensor A rehabilitation system for recovering motor function in human hands after injury Human-like robotic eye and head movements in human–machine interactions A state-of-the-art resource for graduate students and researchers in the fields of control engineering, robotics, and biomedical engineering, this text helps readers understand the technology and principles in this emerging field.

This novel book introduces cellular automata from a rigorous nonlinear dynamics perspective. It supplies the missing link between nonlinear differential and difference equations to discrete symbolic analysis. The book provides a scientifically sound and original analysis, and classifications of the empirical results presented in Wolfram's monumental "New Kind of Science." Contents: Threshold of Complexity; Universal Neuron; Predicting the Unpredictable. Key Features A compilation of papers that appeared in the International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos Contains a highly readable, self-contained introduction Includes hundreds of color illustrations Readership: Graduate students, academics and researchers in nonlinear dynamics, computer science and complexity theory.