Collaborative Research: RoboBees: A Convergence of Body, Brain and Colony

“该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。RoboBees：A Convergence of Body，Brain，and ColonyJ.艾尔斯湾Barrows，D.布鲁克斯，S.孔贝斯湖Mahadevan，G.莫里塞特河Nagpal，S. Ramanathan，G.- Y.魏，M。威尔士，R. J.伍德，T. Zickler这个项目需要创建一个协调的机器蜜蜂群体，RoboBees。 研究课题分为？尸体？?大脑？然后呢？殖民地？ 主题在？尸体？包括飞行设备、推进系统和动力系统的所有方面。 什么？大脑？涉及到电子神经系统的研究，就像蜜蜂一样？人的大脑包括感知和决策的电路。最后，研究在？殖民地？需要通信和控制算法，这将使性能远远超出个人的能力。 这些研究领域中的每一个都是由重建天然蜜蜂的各种功能的挑战所吸引的。 其中一个例子是授粉：蜜蜂通过使用各种传感器、任务授权层次、独特的通信和有效的扑翼推进系统来协调与复杂的自然系统的互动。在本项目的整个生命周期中，pollution和其他农业任务将成为挑战的重点。 这些任务需要广泛的科学主题的专业知识。该研究团队包括生物学、计算机科学、电气和机械工程以及材料科学方面的专家，旨在解决开发RoboBees的基本挑战。除了授粉和辅助农业之外，协调的机器人昆虫将对搜救人员和危险环境勘探应用产生重大影响。 高保真环境监测、交通监测和移动的传感器网络只是协调机器蜜蜂未来影响的几个例子。由于每个机器蜜蜂组件都必须从头开始开发，因此技术影响将贯穿于对身体、大脑和殖民地的研究。 这项新技术和机器蜜蜂令人兴奋和有形的性质提供了一个巨大的机会，以催化年轻人的思想，并鼓励他们参与科学和工程。该计划的一个组成部分是与波士顿科学博物馆合作开发一个博物馆展览，该展览将探索蜜蜂的生活和创造RoboBees所需的技术。更多信息请访问：http://robobees.seas.harvard.edu

"This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(Public Law 111-5)."RoboBees: A convergence of body, brain, and colonyJ. Ayers, G. Barrows, D. Brooks, S. Combes, L. Mahadevan, G. Morrisett, R. Nagpal, S. Ramanathan, G.-Y. Wei, M. Welsh, R.J. Wood, T. ZicklerThis project entails the creation of a coordinated colony of robotic bees, RoboBees. Research topics are split between the ?body?, ?brain?, and ?colony?. Topics within the ?body? include all aspects of the flight apparatus, propulsion, and power systems. The ?brain? involves research on the electronic nervous system equivalent of a bee?s brain including circuits for sensing and decision-making. Finally, research within the ?colony? entails communication and control algorithms that will enable performance well beyond the capabilities of an individual. Each of these research areas is drawn together by the challenges of recreating various functionalities of natural bees. One such example is pollination: Bees coordinate to interact with complex natural systems by using a diversity of sensors, a hierarchy of task delegation, unique communication, and an effective flapping-wing propulsion system. Pollination and other agricultural tasks will serve as challenge thrusts throughout the life of this project. Such tasks require expertise across a broad spectrum of scientific topics. The research team includes experts in biology, computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering, and materials science, assembled to address fundamental challenges in developing RoboBees.Beyond pollination and assisted agriculture, coordinated robotic insects will have substantial impact upon rescue workers for search and rescue and hazardous environment exploration applications. High fidelity environmental monitoring, traffic monitoring, and mobile sensor networks are just a few examples of the future impact of coordinated RoboBees. Since each RoboBee component must be developed from scratch, technological fallout will be prevalent throughout research on the body, brain, and colony. This new technology and the exciting and tangible nature of robotic bees present a tremendous opportunity to catalyze young minds and encourage their participation in science and engineering. An integral part of this program is the development of a museum exhibit, in partnership with the Museum of Science, Boston, which will explore the life of a bee and the technologies required to create RoboBees. ¬For more information, please visit: http://robobees.seas.harvard.edu