I’m going to start off with a bold and probably unsubstantiated claim which is
probably unsubstantiated claim which is
probably unsubstantiated claim which is that robotics is the next Internet and
that robotics is the next Internet and
that robotics is the next Internet and what I mean by that is it’s the next big
what I mean by that is it’s the next big
what I mean by that is it’s the next big thing to impact our lives whether it’s
thing to impact our lives whether it’s
thing to impact our lives whether it’s biomedical applications whether it’s
biomedical applications whether it’s
biomedical applications whether it’s automating our daily lives but before I
automating our daily lives but before I
automating our daily lives but before I get into what I think are the the big
get into what I think are the the big
get into what I think are the the big topics the hot topics and some of our
topics the hot topics and some of our
topics the hot topics and some of our research I want to give you a little bit
research I want to give you a little bit
research I want to give you a little bit of history so robotics as a term was
of history so robotics as a term was
of history so robotics as a term was coined actually back in the 1920s in by
coined actually back in the 1920s in by
coined actually back in the 1920s in by a Czech playwrights in a play called
a Czech playwrights in a play called
a Czech playwrights in a play called Rossum’s Universal robots apparently the
Rossum’s Universal robots apparently the
Rossum’s Universal robots apparently the play wasn’t very good but nonetheless it
play wasn’t very good but nonetheless it
play wasn’t very good but nonetheless it brought the word robots to the English
brought the word robots to the English
brought the word robots to the English language and in fact the word initially
language and in fact the word initially
language and in fact the word initially meant the the use of mechanized labour
meant the the use of mechanized labour
meant the the use of mechanized labour basically doing things that we didn’t
basically doing things that we didn’t
basically doing things that we didn’t want to do automating our lives the the
want to do automating our lives the the
want to do automating our lives the the next example I’ll give is from Fritz
next example I’ll give is from Fritz
next example I’ll give is from Fritz Lang’s Metropolis which I’m sure many or
Lang’s Metropolis which I’m sure many or
Lang’s Metropolis which I’m sure many or if not most of you have seen or or if
if not most of you have seen or or if
if not most of you have seen or or if not have seen some of the iconic sort of
not have seen some of the iconic sort of
not have seen some of the iconic sort of art work from this film another example
art work from this film another example
art work from this film another example of sort of progressing on in terms of
of sort of progressing on in terms of
of sort of progressing on in terms of time is Asimov’s robot series you know I
time is Asimov’s robot series you know I
time is Asimov’s robot series you know I won’t keep going on forward through you
won’t keep going on forward through you
won’t keep going on forward through you know Terminator movies and Star Wars
know Terminator movies and Star Wars
know Terminator movies and Star Wars movies and that sort of thing you’ll
movies and that sort of thing you’ll
movies and that sort of thing you’ll notice a theme in these examples is the
notice a theme in these examples is the
notice a theme in these examples is the the robot uprising and the dystopic view
the robot uprising and the dystopic view
the robot uprising and the dystopic view of what robots will do to the world so
of what robots will do to the world so
of what robots will do to the world so to depart from that I’d like to give an
to depart from that I’d like to give an
to depart from that I’d like to give an example of what I think are my two
example of what I think are my two
example of what I think are my two favorite robotic robots in history
favorite robotic robots in history
favorite robotic robots in history Voyager 1 was a robot it was a
Voyager 1 was a robot it was a
Voyager 1 was a robot it was a teleoperated robot but it took one of
teleoperated robot but it took one of
teleoperated robot but it took one of the most profound pictures and I’m sure
the most profound pictures and I’m sure
the most profound pictures and I’m sure you now agree of Earth this is back in
you now agree of Earth this is back in
you now agree of Earth this is back in 1990 the second photo that I think are
1990 the second photo that I think are
1990 the second photo that I think are is very telling about not just robots
is very telling about not just robots
is very telling about not just robots but you know human curiosity and you
but you know human curiosity and you
but you know human curiosity and you know the advances of technology is what
know the advances of technology is what
know the advances of technology is what I would think is one of the first robot
I would think is one of the first robot
I would think is one of the first robot selfies which is the Curiosity rover on
selfies which is the Curiosity rover on
selfies which is the Curiosity rover on Mars these are two my favorite images
Mars these are two my favorite images
Mars these are two my favorite images and what I find the most powerful and
and what I find the most powerful and
and what I find the most powerful and moving
moving
moving photographs that I’ve ever seen so okay
photographs that I’ve ever seen so okay
photographs that I’ve ever seen so okay that said you know in a few if you think
that said you know in a few if you think
that said you know in a few if you think about these examples and you think about
about these examples and you think about
about these examples and you think about you know all the science fiction movies
you know all the science fiction movies
you know all the science fiction movies that you’ve seen that have robots in
that you’ve seen that have robots in
that you’ve seen that have robots in them you could be asking where all the
them you could be asking where all the
them you could be asking where all the robots right why are there no robots
robots right why are there no robots
robots right why are there no robots that are you know that are making me
that are you know that are making me
that are you know that are making me dinner and folding my clothes etc and so
dinner and folding my clothes etc and so
dinner and folding my clothes etc and so you know the answer is that there’s a
you know the answer is that there’s a
you know the answer is that there’s a lot of big challenges a lot of a lot of
lot of big challenges a lot of a lot of
lot of big challenges a lot of a lot of difficulty in bringing these things to
difficulty in bringing these things to
difficulty in bringing these things to real life so I’ll show you a couple just
real life so I’ll show you a couple just
real life so I’ll show you a couple just a couple brief examples of where these
a couple brief examples of where these
a couple brief examples of where these things actually exist in modern sort of
things actually exist in modern sort of
things actually exist in modern sort of you know life in technology one is you
you know life in technology one is you
you know life in technology one is you know the things that are welding the
know the things that are welding the
know the things that are welding the doors on your cars in the assembly line
doors on your cars in the assembly line
doors on your cars in the assembly line right and so these are big bulky very
right and so these are big bulky very
right and so these are big bulky very precise fast things one of the things
precise fast things one of the things
precise fast things one of the things you’ll notice in this is that there’s no
you’ll notice in this is that there’s no
you’ll notice in this is that there’s no humans anywhere near these because
humans anywhere near these because
humans anywhere near these because they’re very dangerous and so if you’re
they’re very dangerous and so if you’re
they’re very dangerous and so if you’re thinking about adopting these
thinking about adopting these
thinking about adopting these technologies to more you know household
technologies to more you know household
technologies to more you know household or everyday use there’s some challenges
or everyday use there’s some challenges
or everyday use there’s some challenges there or perhaps you have one of these
there or perhaps you have one of these
there or perhaps you have one of these in your house so here’s what might be
in your house so here’s what might be
in your house so here’s what might be the first useful accessible robotic
the first useful accessible robotic
the first useful accessible robotic technology that you can use so just the
technology that you can use so just the
technology that you can use so just the the the obligatory bullet points to tell
the the obligatory bullet points to tell
the the obligatory bullet points to tell you what we are working on in our view
you what we are working on in our view
you what we are working on in our view of the world in terms of the
of the world in terms of the
of the world in terms of the opportunities in robotics the
opportunities in robotics the
opportunities in robotics the opportunities to get these things to be
opportunities to get these things to be
opportunities to get these things to be more useful more ubiquitous cheaper etc
more useful more ubiquitous cheaper etc
more useful more ubiquitous cheaper etc we focus on a couple of things one is
we focus on a couple of things one is
we focus on a couple of things one is and I guess they could be collectively
and I guess they could be collectively
and I guess they could be collectively combined into where we get our
combined into where we get our
combined into where we get our inspiration and the first one is
inspiration and the first one is
inspiration and the first one is inspiration from nature so so for a lot
inspiration from nature so so for a lot
inspiration from nature so so for a lot of the different functions that we might
of the different functions that we might
of the different functions that we might want to achieve with our robots there is
want to achieve with our robots there is
want to achieve with our robots there is likely a biological analog and so we
likely a biological analog and so we
likely a biological analog and so we work with biologists extensively to try
work with biologists extensively to try
work with biologists extensively to try to extract out those you know those
to extract out those you know those
to extract out those you know those those principles and try to embody them
those principles and try to embody them
those principles and try to embody them in our in our engineered systems and the
in our in our engineered systems and the
in our in our engineered systems and the second one is non-traditional places and
second one is non-traditional places and
second one is non-traditional places and that’ll become a little bit more clear
that’ll become a little bit more clear
that’ll become a little bit more clear in a few slides when I show you some of
in a few slides when I show you some of
in a few slides when I show you some of the ways that we actually build these
the ways that we actually build these
the ways that we actually build these robots and so what we’re what I’m going
robots and so what we’re what I’m going
robots and so what we’re what I’m going to talk about is one example or I guess
to talk about is one example or I guess
to talk about is one example or I guess a couple examples but one example in
a couple examples but one example in
a couple examples but one example in particular of bio-inspired robots and to
particular of bio-inspired robots and to
particular of bio-inspired robots and to do this we have to answer questions and
do this we have to answer questions and
do this we have to answer questions and new manufacturing new materials and ways
new manufacturing new materials and ways
new manufacturing new materials and ways of building these systems okay so to
of building these systems okay so to
of building these systems okay so to phrase this question let’s watch this
phrase this question let’s watch this
phrase this question let’s watch this video this is of a carpenter beet and as
video this is of a carpenter beet and as
video this is of a carpenter beet and as an engineer I can look at this and start
an engineer I can look at this and start
an engineer I can look at this and start to ask some really well posed questions
to ask some really well posed questions
to ask some really well posed questions that sort of drive some of our research
that sort of drive some of our research
that sort of drive some of our research like you know how are the wings moving
like you know how are the wings moving
like you know how are the wings moving how are the wings interacting with the
how are the wings interacting with the
how are the wings interacting with the air and generating vortices that it’s
air and generating vortices that it’s
air and generating vortices that it’s then manipulating through its wings what
then manipulating through its wings what
then manipulating through its wings what is the the thoracic mechanics that is
is the the thoracic mechanics that is
is the the thoracic mechanics that is you know moving the wings about what is
you know moving the wings about what is
you know moving the wings about what is the muscular that driving thoracic
the muscular that driving thoracic
the muscular that driving thoracic mechanics what are the metabolic
mechanics what are the metabolic
mechanics what are the metabolic processes that are driving the muscles
processes that are driving the muscles
processes that are driving the muscles that are driving the mechanics that are
that are driving the mechanics that are
that are driving the mechanics that are driving the wings
driving the wings
driving the wings what is the flight mode what are the
what is the flight mode what are the
what is the flight mode what are the sensors that it’s using what are the
sensors that it’s using what are the
sensors that it’s using what are the control methodologies what is the
control methodologies what is the
control methodologies what is the neurobiology so there’s all these really
neurobiology so there’s all these really
neurobiology so there’s all these really interesting questions that we as
interesting questions that we as
interesting questions that we as engineers that we as engineers can you
engineers that we as engineers can you
engineers that we as engineers can you know can start to sort of boil down into
know can start to sort of boil down into
know can start to sort of boil down into into the the topics that we have to work
into the the topics that we have to work
into the the topics that we have to work on if we wanted to actually make one of
on if we wanted to actually make one of
on if we wanted to actually make one of these right so this is the wanting one
these right so this is the wanting one
these right so this is the wanting one prototype of our robotic insects
prototype of our robotic insects
prototype of our robotic insects I’d be happy am I going to pass it
I’d be happy am I going to pass it
I’d be happy am I going to pass it around I’ll be happy to I’d be happy to
around I’ll be happy to I’d be happy to
around I’ll be happy to I’d be happy to show it to you afterwards and in the you
show it to you afterwards and in the you
show it to you afterwards and in the you know questions about if we’re going to
know questions about if we’re going to
know questions about if we’re going to make something that sort of operates
make something that sort of operates
make something that sort of operates like this like this this is just an
like this like this this is just an
like this like this this is just an animation of a hover fly if we’re going
animation of a hover fly if we’re going
animation of a hover fly if we’re going to make something in an engineered
to make something in an engineered
to make something in an engineered system that works something like this
system that works something like this
system that works something like this how do we do it what are the answers to
how do we do it what are the answers to
how do we do it what are the answers to those questions that I just posed that
those questions that I just posed that
those questions that I just posed that are derived from these natural systems
are derived from these natural systems
are derived from these natural systems and one of the biggest ones is how do
and one of the biggest ones is how do
and one of the biggest ones is how do you make it so the first question that I
you make it so the first question that I
you make it so the first question that I had is how would I piece together the
had is how would I piece together the
had is how would I piece together the components for this and I would argue
components for this and I would argue
components for this and I would argue that I don’t want to do it this way
that I don’t want to do it this way
that I don’t want to do it this way right I don’t want to take you know
right I don’t want to take you know
right I don’t want to take you know hundreds or even thousands of very
hundreds or even thousands of very
hundreds or even thousands of very complex geometrical components and
complex geometrical components and
complex geometrical components and pieced them together under a microscope
pieced them together under a microscope
pieced them together under a microscope that would drive my graduate students
that would drive my graduate students
that would drive my graduate students crazy and it would you know I that
crazy and it would you know I that
crazy and it would you know I that wouldn’t work okay so we have to come up
wouldn’t work okay so we have to come up
wouldn’t work okay so we have to come up with alternative solutions this is
with alternative solutions this is
with alternative solutions this is actually I’m contradicting myself
actually I’m contradicting myself
actually I’m contradicting myself because this is actually an attempt at
because this is actually an attempt at
because this is actually an attempt at sort of a nuts-and-bolts approach to
sort of a nuts-and-bolts approach to
sort of a nuts-and-bolts approach to actually piece together components this
actually piece together components this
actually piece together components this is the old way before we had the
is the old way before we had the
is the old way before we had the discovery which I’ll show you in a
discovery which I’ll show you in a
discovery which I’ll show you in a minute but this is literally what it
minute but this is literally what it
minute but this is literally what it looks like you’re actually piecing
looks like you’re actually piecing
looks like you’re actually piecing together all the different components
together all the different components
together all the different components and I won’t get into the details of what
and I won’t get into the details of what
and I won’t get into the details of what these things are but you know they’re
these things are but you know they’re
these things are but you know they’re they’re the motors they’re the the wings
they’re the motors they’re the the wings
they’re the motors they’re the the wings they’re the you know the little
they’re the you know the little
they’re the you know the little mechanisms that cause the thing to you
mechanisms that cause the thing to you
mechanisms that cause the thing to you know move properly and that sort of
know move properly and that sort of
know move properly and that sort of thing so if we want to get around that
thing so if we want to get around that
thing so if we want to get around that how do we do this well it turns out we
how do we do this well it turns out we
how do we do this well it turns out we took inspiration from I guess in
took inspiration from I guess in
took inspiration from I guess in hindsight is a non-traditional place my
hindsight is a non-traditional place my
hindsight is a non-traditional place my son’s library and so my son at the time
son’s library and so my son at the time
son’s library and so my son at the time a couple years ago was really into
a couple years ago was really into
a couple years ago was really into pop-up books and so if you think about a
pop-up books and so if you think about a
pop-up books and so if you think about a pop-up book I think about it is
pop-up book I think about it is
pop-up book I think about it is fantastically complicated
fantastically complicated
fantastically complicated gated structures and mechanisms that are
gated structures and mechanisms that are
gated structures and mechanisms that are created by extremely unskilled users and
created by extremely unskilled users and
created by extremely unskilled users and I’m not talking about the people that
I’m not talking about the people that
I’m not talking about the people that made the books I’m talking about the
made the books I’m talking about the
made the books I’m talking about the kids that operate the books so you open
kids that operate the books so you open
kids that operate the books so you open up the books you do something very
up the books you do something very
up the books you do something very simple like you know just opening a page
simple like you know just opening a page
simple like you know just opening a page or pulling something and out of this out
or pulling something and out of this out
or pulling something and out of this out of this page comes these fantastic
of this page comes these fantastic
of this page comes these fantastic structures and so we do something very
structures and so we do something very
structures and so we do something very similar and we call this process pop-up
similar and we call this process pop-up
similar and we call this process pop-up book MEMS and it good and it goes as
book MEMS and it good and it goes as
book MEMS and it good and it goes as follows you basically build all of the
follows you basically build all of the
follows you basically build all of the components that you want like I said the
components that you want like I said the
components that you want like I said the motors the wing is etc and you also
motors the wing is etc and you also
motors the wing is etc and you also build a scaffold around it that’s what
build a scaffold around it that’s what
build a scaffold around it that’s what this sort of surrounding area is here
this sort of surrounding area is here
this sort of surrounding area is here and then by proper design of all of the
and then by proper design of all of the
and then by proper design of all of the individual components in this sort of
individual components in this sort of
individual components in this sort of quasi two-dimensional composites if it’s
quasi two-dimensional composites if it’s
quasi two-dimensional composites if it’s designed right and constructed properly
designed right and constructed properly
designed right and constructed properly which I’m of course I’m not getting much
which I’m of course I’m not getting much
which I’m of course I’m not getting much into deep into the details then all I
into deep into the details then all I
into deep into the details then all I have to do is slow to push on it and
have to do is slow to push on it and
have to do is slow to push on it and that’s that’s what I’ll show in this
that’s that’s what I’ll show in this
that’s that’s what I’ll show in this video all I have to do is push on it and
video all I have to do is push on it and
video all I have to do is push on it and out pops the device that I want because
out pops the device that I want because
out pops the device that I want because all of the trajectories that are
all of the trajectories that are
all of the trajectories that are associated with the assembly of this
associated with the assembly of this
associated with the assembly of this device are controlled by the mechanisms
device are controlled by the mechanisms
device are controlled by the mechanisms that are built into this pop-up
that are built into this pop-up
that are built into this pop-up structure and this allows us to build
structure and this allows us to build
structure and this allows us to build our computational origami friends and
our computational origami friends and
our computational origami friends and this is this is a real thing actually
this is this is a real thing actually
this is this is a real thing actually you can prove that you can make anything
you can prove that you can make anything
you can prove that you can make anything you want in terms of any geometric
you want in terms of any geometric
you want in terms of any geometric complexity any mechanism that you want
complexity any mechanism that you want
complexity any mechanism that you want to build can be done in this way so we
to build can be done in this way so we
to build can be done in this way so we can make things arbitrarily complicated
can make things arbitrarily complicated
can make things arbitrarily complicated we can make things with any material
we can make things with any material
we can make things with any material combination you know metals composites
combination you know metals composites
combination you know metals composites polymers ceramics doesn’t matter and we
polymers ceramics doesn’t matter and we
polymers ceramics doesn’t matter and we can do this very quickly we’re
can do this very quickly we’re
can do this very quickly we’re experimental robotics we know actually
experimental robotics we know actually
experimental robotics we know actually very little about the physics of the
very little about the physics of the
very little about the physics of the devices that we make and so not for lack
devices that we make and so not for lack
devices that we make and so not for lack of trying but just because it’s you know
of trying but just because it’s you know
of trying but just because it’s you know complex fluid structure interactions all
complex fluid structure interactions all
complex fluid structure interactions all these all these sort of difficult things
these all these sort of difficult things
these all these sort of difficult things and so what we do then is we build and
and so what we do then is we build and
and so what we do then is we build and test and build and test and often test a
test and build and test and often test a
test and build and test and often test a failure as I’ll show you in a moment
failure as I’ll show you in a moment
failure as I’ll show you in a moment this is a resulting device you’ll notice
this is a resulting device you’ll notice
this is a resulting device you’ll notice that every device that I show you will
that every device that I show you will
that every device that I show you will look different that’s just because we
look different that’s just because we
look different that’s just because we learned something in change of the
learned something in change of the
learned something in change of the design and reiterate on that I should
design and reiterate on that I should
design and reiterate on that I should mention the way that we’re building
mention the way that we’re building
mention the way that we’re building things this sort of concept of a
things this sort of concept of a
things this sort of concept of a scaffold building all the components for
scaffold building all the components for
scaffold building all the components for you we like to think in some way
you we like to think in some way
you we like to think in some way fulfills Richard Feynman’s prophecy
fulfills Richard Feynman’s prophecy
fulfills Richard Feynman’s prophecy about small robots building small robots
about small robots building small robots
about small robots building small robots because that’s that’s the way that we
because that’s that’s the way that we
because that’s that’s the way that we sort of think about this okay so we can
sort of think about this okay so we can
sort of think about this okay so we can build things in bulk just just by the
build things in bulk just just by the
build things in bulk just just by the fact that this is an inherently
fact that this is an inherently
fact that this is an inherently parallelizable process bulk for us is
parallelizable process bulk for us is
parallelizable process bulk for us is only a few but that’s ok we plug these
only a few but that’s ok we plug these
only a few but that’s ok we plug these things in we test them flap wings around
things in we test them flap wings around
things in we test them flap wings around do some system identification all sorts
do some system identification all sorts
do some system identification all sorts of interesting things to try to
of interesting things to try to
of interesting things to try to understand
understand
understand this thing actually works and then plug
this thing actually works and then plug
this thing actually works and then plug it in turn it on this is sped down by
it in turn it on this is sped down by
it in turn it on this is sped down by one factor of 1/8 and this is what
one factor of 1/8 and this is what
one factor of 1/8 and this is what happens right every time right and in
happens right every time right and in
happens right every time right and in fact if you look at it in real time this
fact if you look at it in real time this
fact if you look at it in real time this is you know very fast but this is just a
is you know very fast but this is just a
is you know very fast but this is just a consequence of the dynamics of this
consequence of the dynamics of this
consequence of the dynamics of this system so you know insects are very
system so you know insects are very
system so you know insects are very unlike the the airplanes that we ride in
unlike the the airplanes that we ride in
unlike the the airplanes that we ride in right so you know the the 747 of the
right so you know the the 747 of the
right so you know the the 747 of the world are designed to be passively
world are designed to be passively
world are designed to be passively stable if the engines turn off it should
stable if the engines turn off it should
stable if the engines turn off it should you know glide down to safety without
you know glide down to safety without
you know glide down to safety without the apps without the presence of you
the apps without the presence of you
the apps without the presence of you know ActiveX control but insects are not
know ActiveX control but insects are not
know ActiveX control but insects are not that way they’re unstable and this leads
that way they’re unstable and this leads
that way they’re unstable and this leads to the manoeuvrability that you’ve
to the manoeuvrability that you’ve
to the manoeuvrability that you’ve experienced if you ever try to swat them
experienced if you ever try to swat them
experienced if you ever try to swat them right so so what I’m saying is they’re
right so so what I’m saying is they’re
right so so what I’m saying is they’re the fighter jets of the world and we can
the fighter jets of the world and we can
the fighter jets of the world and we can if we can properly stabilize these
if we can properly stabilize these
if we can properly stabilize these systems and they become quite
systems and they become quite
systems and they become quite maneuverable so after plenty of trial
maneuverable so after plenty of trial
maneuverable so after plenty of trial and error
and error
and error again this is sped down one eighth time
again this is sped down one eighth time
again this is sped down one eighth time we are able to control the flight of
we are able to control the flight of
we are able to control the flight of these things one of the first
these things one of the first
these things one of the first demonstrations that we had which we were
demonstrations that we had which we were
demonstrations that we had which we were very excited about a couple years ago
very excited about a couple years ago
very excited about a couple years ago was was just hover when it turns out
was was just hover when it turns out
was was just hover when it turns out that’s one of the more difficult things
that’s one of the more difficult things
that’s one of the more difficult things that we can try to do we can also take
that we can try to do we can also take
that we can try to do we can also take advantage of some of these fast dynamics
advantage of some of these fast dynamics
advantage of some of these fast dynamics that I was alluding to and also some of
that I was alluding to and also some of
that I was alluding to and also some of the physics of scaling to allow these
the physics of scaling to allow these
the physics of scaling to allow these things to perch once we have these
things to perch once we have these
things to perch once we have these things working we’re doing all sorts of
things working we’re doing all sorts of
things working we’re doing all sorts of cute demonstrations of how they can
cute demonstrations of how they can
cute demonstrations of how they can behave sort of like the insects that we
behave sort of like the insects that we
behave sort of like the insects that we try to mimic we also just want to wrap
try to mimic we also just want to wrap
try to mimic we also just want to wrap up with a couple of other topics and
up with a couple of other topics and
up with a couple of other topics and other broad statements of course we also
other broad statements of course we also
other broad statements of course we also make a host of other bio-inspired robots
make a host of other bio-inspired robots
make a host of other bio-inspired robots and I’m showing you these not just
and I’m showing you these not just
and I’m showing you these not just because they’re cool or creepy but
because they’re cool or creepy but
because they’re cool or creepy but because they actually represent one of
because they actually represent one of
because they actually represent one of our big pushes which is all of our
our big pushes which is all of our
our big pushes which is all of our bio-inspired work takes cues from nature
bio-inspired work takes cues from nature
bio-inspired work takes cues from nature and tries to instantiate that in robots
and tries to instantiate that in robots
and tries to instantiate that in robots we’re actually seeing that arrow of
we’re actually seeing that arrow of
we’re actually seeing that arrow of bioinspiration reverse because now we
bioinspiration reverse because now we
bioinspiration reverse because now we can start to build robots which mimic
can start to build robots which mimic
can start to build robots which mimic some of the features of natural systems
some of the features of natural systems
some of the features of natural systems then we can test our hypotheses on
then we can test our hypotheses on
then we can test our hypotheses on natural systems and I say us our biology
natural systems and I say us our biology
natural systems and I say us our biology our biologists colleagues in ways that
our biologists colleagues in ways that
our biologists colleagues in ways that would be difficult to do with with the
would be difficult to do with with the
would be difficult to do with with the actual animal and so this is really
actual animal and so this is really
actual animal and so this is really exciting for us we also make little
exciting for us we also make little
exciting for us we also make little cockroach like robots this is in real
cockroach like robots this is in real
cockroach like robots this is in real time and I’m just showing you this
time and I’m just showing you this
time and I’m just showing you this because we can make claims that these
because we can make claims that these
because we can make claims that these things are actually some of the fastest
things are actually some of the fastest
things are actually some of the fastest robots in the world if you normalized
robots in the world if you normalized
robots in the world if you normalized the body length which is of course a
the body length which is of course a
the body length which is of course a caveat in fact twice as fast as Usain
caveat in fact twice as fast as Usain
caveat in fact twice as fast as Usain okay so I often get the question so I
okay so I often get the question so I
okay so I often get the question so I will preemptively answer it which is
will preemptively answer it which is
will preemptively answer it which is what would you do with these things why
what would you do with these things why
what would you do with these things why are you doing this and the main thing
are you doing this and the main thing
are you doing this and the main thing that gets us excited is that it’s a
that gets us excited is that it’s a
that gets us excited is that it’s a basic research topic that we you know
basic research topic that we you know
basic research topic that we you know all of these topics in you know in fluid
all of these topics in you know in fluid
all of these topics in you know in fluid mechanics in microfabrication
mechanics in microfabrication
mechanics in microfabrication and bioengineering etc are what really
and bioengineering etc are what really
and bioengineering etc are what really drive us and the technology fallout that
drive us and the technology fallout that
drive us and the technology fallout that comes from this meaning technology
comes from this meaning technology
comes from this meaning technology fallout like you know I have a former
fallout like you know I have a former
fallout like you know I have a former student that started a company that’s
student that started a company that’s
student that started a company that’s trying to find commercial applications
trying to find commercial applications
trying to find commercial applications for the way that we build things we also
for the way that we build things we also
for the way that we build things we also have prototypes for making little
have prototypes for making little
have prototypes for making little minimally invasive surgical tools using
minimally invasive surgical tools using
minimally invasive surgical tools using the same techniques but you can also use
the same techniques but you can also use
the same techniques but you can also use these things in the future 10 20 years
these things in the future 10 20 years
these things in the future 10 20 years down the road when they’re when they’re
down the road when they’re when they’re
down the road when they’re when they’re working for you know things like
working for you know things like
working for you know things like search-and-rescue where you know the
search-and-rescue where you know the
search-and-rescue where you know the firefighter might have a thousand of
firefighter might have a thousand of
firefighter might have a thousand of these things on site that flies through
these things on site that flies through
these things on site that flies through a building looking for human survivors
a building looking for human survivors
a building looking for human survivors or even hazardous environment
or even hazardous environment
or even hazardous environment exploration space exploration etc so
exploration space exploration etc so
exploration space exploration etc so these are these are the sort of the
these are these are the sort of the
these are these are the sort of the common themes that there are the
common themes that there are the
common themes that there are the longer-term goals of this and lastly
longer-term goals of this and lastly
longer-term goals of this and lastly I’ll say that these things turn out to
I’ll say that these things turn out to
I’ll say that these things turn out to be extremely useful for education
be extremely useful for education
be extremely useful for education purposes so we go from school to school
purposes so we go from school to school
purposes so we go from school to school and also the festivals local and
and also the festivals local and
and also the festivals local and national to try to get kids excited in
national to try to get kids excited in
national to try to get kids excited in STEM and it turns out and I mean no
STEM and it turns out and I mean no
STEM and it turns out and I mean no disrespect to our theoretical physicist
disrespect to our theoretical physicist
disrespect to our theoretical physicist colleagues that this is much more likely
colleagues that this is much more likely
colleagues that this is much more likely to get to get interested in science and
to get to get interested in science and
to get to get interested in science and engineering and string theory so I
engineering and string theory so I
engineering and string theory so I apologize if that’s your area so with
apologize if that’s your area so with
apologize if that’s your area so with that I will stop and I’ll thank you for
that I will stop and I’ll thank you for
that I will stop and I’ll thank you for [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
”
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