Bio-inspired Robotics for Advanced Computing

Robotics and the anatomical forms of animals are highly relevant as interrelated disciplines. In this program we will be examining both topics of scientific and engineering inquiry together with the aims of improving our understanding of how animal bodies are constructed and operate. Locomotion, feeding and sensory stimuli are major evolutionary forces that determine the diversity of animal body forms on Earth. Using the diversity of animal forms as the basis for understanding how they exist in their environments, we will explore form, function and physiology. The patterns that animals have evolved to locomote, perceive their environments and make decisions based on that sensory information is a major source of inspiration for robotics, both historically and in the present. As we learned how critters work, we will be learning how to put together robots from the microcontrollers on up.

This program will consist of lectures on animal anatomy and physiology, and on robotic design and construction. Zoology laboratory work (biweekly) will consist of examining animal locomotion, feeding, sensory behavior and anatomy of invertebrate models; students taking the zoology component should be prepared to engage with animal experimentation and dissection. Robotics laboratory work (weekly) will consist of designing, programming, and building robots that have movement abilities inspired by zoological capabilities.

Students should have prerequisites of 8 credits of gen biology OR prior Computer Science Foundations credit (or permission of faculty). Students looking to take 16 credits can consider registering for the 4 credit course Neural Networks.

Anticipated credit equivalencies (upper division):

4*- Comparative anatomy and physiology (zoology)

8*- Robotics