Limbless Locomotion: Learning to Crawl with a Snake Robot
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Traversing Tight Tunnels—Implementing an Adaptive Concertina Gait in a Biomimetic Snake Robot Henry C
Earth and Space 2018 158 Traversing Tight Tunnels—Implementing an Adaptive Concertina Gait in a Biomimetic Snake Robot Henry C. Astley1 1Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center, Dept. of Biology and Polymer Science, Univ. of Akron, 235 Carroll St., Akron, OH 44325-3908. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT Snakes move through cluttered habitats and tight spaces with extraordinary ease, and consequently snake robots are a popular design for such situations. The remarkable locomotor performance of snakes is due in part to their diversity of locomotor modes for addressing a range of environmental challenges. Concertina locomotion consists of alternating periods of static anchoring and movement along the snake’s body, and is used to negotiate narrow spaces such as tunnels or bare branches. However, concertina locomotion has rarely been implemented in snake robots. In this paper, the anchor formation process in live snakes during concertina locomotion is quantified and used to implement concertina locomotion in a snake robot, with automatic detection of the width of the tunnel walls to modulate the waveform. This allows effective concertina locomotion in tunnels of unknown width, without prior knowledge of tunnel geometry, expanding the range of gaits in snake robots. INTRODUCTION The elongate, limbless body plan is extremely common throughout nature, in both vertebrate and invertebrates alike (Pechenik, J. A. 2005; Pough, F. H. et al. 2002), and has evolved independently numerous times (Gans, C 1975). Indeed, within lizards (Order Squamata) alone there are over two dozen independent evolutions of limblessness or functional limblessness (Wiens, J. J. et al. 2006). Snakes are by far the most successful limbless taxon, with a near-global distribution, nearly 3000 species, and a wide range of ecological niches and habitats (Pough, F. -
Introduction to 2D-Animation Working Practice
Prelims-K52054.qxd 2/6/07 5:18 PM Page i Character Animation: 2D Skills for Better 3D This page intentionally left blank Prelims-K52054.qxd 2/6/07 5:18 PM Page iii Character Animation: 2D Skills for Better 3D Second edition Steve Roberts AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON • NEW YORK • OXFORD PARIS • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO • SINGAPORE • SYDNEY • TOKYO Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier Prelims-K52054.qxd 2/6/07 5:18 PM Page iv This eBook does not include ancillary media that was packaged with the printed version of the book. Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP, UK 30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803, USA First published 2004 Second edition 2007 Copyright © 2007, Steve Roberts. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved The right of Steve Roberts to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier’s Science & Technology Rights Department in Oxford, UK: phone (ϩ44) (0) 1865 843830; fax (ϩ44) (0) 1865 853333; e-mail: [email protected]. Alternatively you can submit your request online by visiting the Elsevier web site at http://elsevier.com/locate/permissions, and selecting Obtaining permission to use Elsevier material Notice No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or idead contained in the material herein. -
Slithering Locomotion
SLITHERING LOCOMOTION DAVID L. HU() AND MICHAEL SHELLEY∗∗ Abstract. Limbless terrestrial animals propel themselves by sliding their bellies along the ground. Although the study of dry solid-solid friction is a classical subject, the mechanisms underlying friction-based limbless propulsion have received little attention. We review and expand upon our previous work on the locomotion of snakes, who are expert sliders. We show that snakes use two principal mechanisms to slither on flat surfaces. First, their bellies are covered with scales that catch upon ground asperities, providing frictional anisotropy. Second, they are able to lift parts of their body slightly off the ground when moving. This reduces undesired frictional drag and applies greater pressure to the parts of the belly that are pushing the snake forwards. We review a theoretical framework that may be adapted by future investigators to understand other kinds of limbless locomotion. Key words. Snakes, friction, locomotion AMS(MOS) subject classifications. Primary 76Zxx 1. Introduction. Animal locomotion is as diverse as animal form. Swimming, flying and walking have received much attention [1, 9]withthe latter being the most commonly studied means for moving on land (Fig. 1). Comparatively little attention has been paid to limbless locomotion on land, which necessarily relies upon sliding. Sliding is physically distinct from pushing against a fluid and understanding it as a form of locomotion presents new challenges, as we present in this review. Terrestrial limbless animals are rare. Those that are multicellular include worms, snails and snakes, and account for less than 2% of the 1.8 million named species (Fig. -
CNN-Based Genetic Algorithm
International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems, Vol.2, No. 2 (June, 2009), 124-131 Cellular Neural Networks-Based Genetic Algorithm for Optimizing the Behavior of an Unstructured Robot Alireza Fasih Transportation Informatics Group, Institute of Smart Systems Technologies, University of Klagenfurt Klagenfurt, Austria E-mail: [email protected] Jean Chamberlain Chedjou Transportation Informatics Group, Institute of Smart Systems Technologies, University of Klagenfurt E-mail: [email protected] Kyandoghere Kyamakya Transportation Informatics Group, Institute of Smart Systems Technologies, University of Klagenfurt E-mail: [email protected] Abstract A new learning algorithm for advanced robot locomotion is presented in this paper. This method involves both Cellular Neural Networks (CNN) technology and an evolutionary process based on genetic algorithm (GA) for a learning process. Learning is formulated as an optimization problem. CNN Templates are derived by GA after an optimization process. Through these templates the CNN computation platform generates a specific wave leading to the best motion of a walker robot. It is demonstrated that due to the new method presented in this paper an irregular and even a disjointed walker robot can successfully move with the highest performance. Keywords: Cellular Neural Networks, Robot locomotion, Simulation, Genetic Algorithms. 1. Introduction of animal walking motion with the aim of optimizing the energy consumption [2-4]. It is well-known that the Nowadays, some of the main goals of robotics science, walking motion of animals is of a stereotype. In a large mechatronics and artificial intelligence lie in designing variety of animals a central neural controller does mechanisms close to or mimicking as good as possible organize/coordinate the motion. -
Muscular Mechanisms and Kinematics of Rectilinear Locomotion in Boa Constrictors Steven J
© 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Journal of Experimental Biology (2018) 221, jeb166199. doi:10.1242/jeb.166199 RESEARCH ARTICLE Crawling without wiggling: muscular mechanisms and kinematics of rectilinear locomotion in boa constrictors Steven J. Newman and Bruce C. Jayne* ABSTRACT how such animals coordinate the muscle activity and movement A central issue for understanding locomotion of vertebrates is how among all of these serially homologous structures. Within muscle activity and movements of their segmented axial structures are vertebrates, both lampreys and snakes have body segments with coordinated, and snakes have a longitudinal uniformity of body size and shape that are relatively uniform along most of their length, segments and diverse locomotor behaviors that are well suited for and the absence of appendages provides a somewhat simplified studying the neural control of rhythmic axial movements. Unlike all body plan that makes both of these groups well suited for studying other major modes of snake locomotion, rectilinear locomotion does the neural control of rhythmic axial movements (Cohen, 1988). not involve axial bending, and the mechanisms of propulsion and Furthermore, snakes use different modes of locomotion in a variety modulating speed are not well understood. We integrated of environments, which facilitates investigating the diversity and electromyograms and kinematics of boa constrictors to test plasticity of axial motor patterns. Lissmann’s decades-old hypotheses of activity of the Most previous studies recognize at least four major modes of costocutaneous superior (CCS) and inferior (CCI) muscles and the terrestrial snake locomotion (Mosauer, 1932; Gray, 1968; Gans, intrinsic cutaneous interscutalis (IS) muscle during rectilinear 1974; Jayne, 1986; Cundall, 1987), but rectilinear is the only one of locomotion. -
Alexander 2013 Principles-Of-Animal-Locomotion.Pdf
.................................................... Principles of Animal Locomotion Principles of Animal Locomotion ..................................................... R. McNeill Alexander PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS PRINCETON AND OXFORD Copyright © 2003 by Princeton University Press Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 3 Market Place, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1SY All Rights Reserved Second printing, and first paperback printing, 2006 Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0-691-12634-0 Paperback ISBN-10: 0-691-12634-8 The Library of Congress has cataloged the cloth edition of this book as follows Alexander, R. McNeill. Principles of animal locomotion / R. McNeill Alexander. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ). ISBN 0-691-08678-8 (alk. paper) 1. Animal locomotion. I. Title. QP301.A2963 2002 591.47′9—dc21 2002016904 British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available This book has been composed in Galliard and Bulmer Printed on acid-free paper. ∞ pup.princeton.edu Printed in the United States of America 1098765432 Contents ............................................................... PREFACE ix Chapter 1. The Best Way to Travel 1 1.1. Fitness 1 1.2. Speed 2 1.3. Acceleration and Maneuverability 2 1.4. Endurance 4 1.5. Economy of Energy 7 1.6. Stability 8 1.7. Compromises 9 1.8. Constraints 9 1.9. Optimization Theory 10 1.10. Gaits 12 Chapter 2. Muscle, the Motor 15 2.1. How Muscles Exert Force 15 2.2. Shortening and Lengthening Muscle 22 2.3. Power Output of Muscles 26 2.4. Pennation Patterns and Moment Arms 28 2.5. Power Consumption 31 2.6. Some Other Types of Muscle 34 Chapter 3. -
Biological System Models Reproducing Snakes’ Musculoskeletal System
The 2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems October 18-22, 2010, Taipei, Taiwan Biological System Models Reproducing Snakes’ Musculoskeletal System Kousuke Inoue, Kaita Nakamura, Masatoshi Suzuki, Yoshikazu Mori, Yasuhiro Fukuoka and Naoji Shiroma Abstract— Snakes are very unique animals that have dis- including the interaction in order to elucidate the mechanism tinguished motor function adaptable to the most diverse en- of emerging animals’ adaptive motor functions. vironments in terrestrial animals regardless of their simple cord-shaped body. Revealing the mechanism underlying this B. Previous works on snakes’ locomotion mechanisms distinct locomotion pattern, which is fundamentally different from walking, is signifficant not only in biolgical field but The researches on snakes in biology have been conducted also for applications in engineering firld. However, it has mainly on taxonomy, anatomy and snake poison and there been difficult to clarify this adaptive function, emerging from are few researches on snake locomotion until now. In lo- dynamic interaction between body, brain and environment, comotion studies [1]-[15], analytical discussions have been by previous scientific methodologies based on reductionism, carried out based on kinematics recording with respect to where understanding of the total system is approached by analyzing specific individual elements. In this research, we aim specific locomotion modes or EMG recording with a few at revealing the mechanisms underlying this adaptability by muscles that are said to be dominant for locomotion. For the use of the constructive methodology, in which biological example, Jayne [10] records EMG with the three dominant system models reflecting biological knowledge is used as a tool muscles with lateral undulation locomotion in terrestrial and for analysis of the total system. -
Studies on Amphisbaenids
STUDIES ON AMPHISBAENIDS (AMPHISBAENJA, REPTILIA) 1. A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE TROGONOPHINAE, AND A FUNC- TIONAL INTERPRETATION OF THE AMPHISBAENID ADAPTIVE PATTERN CARL GANS BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY VOLUME 119 : ARTICLE 3 NEW YORK: 1960 STUDIES ON AMPHISBAENIDS (AMPHISBAENIA, REPTILIA) STUDIES ON AMPHISBAENIDS (AMPHISBAENIA, REPTILIA) 1. A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE TROGONOPHINAE, AND A FUNCTIONAL INTERPRETATION OF THE AMPHIS- BAENID ADAPTIVE PATTERN CARL GANS Research Associate, Department of Amphibians and Reptiles The American Museum of Natural History Department of Biology, The University of Buffalo Buffalo, New York Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY VOLUME 119 : ARTICLE 3 NEW YORK 1960 BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Volume 119, article 3, pages 129-204, text figures 1-32, plate 45, tables 1-3 Issued May 23, 1960 Price: $1.50 a copy CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. * * * 4 135 A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE TROGONOPHINAE * . * * * * * 136 Material. * . * * * - 136 Discussion of Characters. * . * * * * 139 Shape and Scutellation of Head. * . X 139 Diplometopon. * . * . - 139 Other Acrodont Forms. * * * * 141 Posterior Integument ............. * . * * . * . 141 Diplometopon. ****** * . o* * * * * 141 Other Acrodont Forms. * * * * 144 Color Pattern ................ * * * * * * . * . 146 Skull. *. s* * * * * 147 General Comparison ............ * * * * * . * @ 147 Trogonophis. * . * * * * 149 Pachycalamus. * . * . e 153 *****. *- * * * - Diplometopon. -
Ballymoney Thursday 27Th August @ 6.30Pm Conditions 1
Ballymoney Thursday 27th August @ 6.30pm Conditions 1. The highest approved bidder shall be his agent, carrier or man employed by the purchaser. The Auctioneer him has removed any part of his lot or reserves the right to refuse any bid, lots from the premises. All lots and should any dispute arise between purchased must be removed two or more bidders, the lot or lots in absolutely in the time specified and if dispute shall be put up again, or not, not so removed may be resold by the and resold at the discretion of the Vendors. Auctioneer, or the auctioneer may declare the purchaser. The Auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of 8. The Purchaser shall be answerable for the vendor up to and including any all damages occasioned by any injury reserve price placed on any lot and to or other lots, by the removal of lots alter, divide, group or withdraw any lot purchased by them, or to the premises or lots either before or at any time and to repair or pay damages to the during the sale. owners of same before the removal of their lots from the premises. In the event of any persons interested in the 2. The Auctioneer shall regulate the premises, claiming the whole or any bidding and no bid shall be retracted. part of a lot before its removal there from or if in the Auctioneer’s opinion, the removal of any lot will 3. Every purchaser shall give his name endanger or permanently damage any and place of abode, in default of which building, the Auctioneer may, by the Auctioneers shall have the power to written notice to the purchaser of such resell at once, or afterwards as they lot delivered to him or his Agent, or may think fit. -
7 Existing Facility Recommendations Beerwah District Skate and BMX Facility Roberts Road, Beerwah
7 Existing facility recommendations Beerwah District Skate and BMX Facility Roberts Road, Beerwah Background town centre. There was some initial erosion Beerwah has been identified as a major around ramps, platforms and embankments activity area within the South East Queensland which was rectified in October 2010 and further Regional Plan, which will receive continued short term operational works need to ensure growth throughout the life of this Plan and the space between the skate and BMX facility has the second highest growth percentage of and car parking areas is delineated and safe. children and young people in the region. Additional longer term improvements to the facility could include the installation of seating Located within the Beerwah Sports Ground the and street elements and there also appears Beerwah Skate and BMX Facility (constructed to be no publicly accessible toilets available in 2009) for intermediate – advanced users for participants. Consideration towards the is in good condition, has a range of active provision of toilet access via either the adjacent elements and is well positioned adjacent to Beerwah Aquatics Centre or Beerwah Sports the Roberts Road street frontage, the local Ground is required. high school and in reasonable proximity to the Actions Priority Lead/support agent Est. cost Install fencing/barrier between car parking areas Short SCC $15,000- and skate and BMX facility. $20,000 Consider developing an agreement with the Beerwah Short SCC n/a Aquatics Centre or Beerwah Sports Ground to provide toilet access for skate facility users. Sunshine Coast Skate and BMX Plan 2011-2020 63 Bli Bli Local Skate and BMX Facility David Low Way, Bli Bli Background primarily caters for beginner to intermediate Bli Bli is located within the Bli Bli – Rosemount users and is in average condition with the and district locality. -
Adaptive Behaviour
ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR Structure Introduction Objectives Colouration Source ofColour in Animals Colour Perception Adaptive Colouration Mimicry Types of Min~icty Different Forms of Mimicry Bioluminescence Luminous Organs in Fish Bioluminescent Molecules Mechanism of Bioluminescence Colour and Type of Emitted Light Significance of Bioluminescence Defence in Animals Adaptations for Defence Various Means of Defence in Animals Territorial Deknce Echolocation Sonar or Echolocation in Bats . Echolocation in Aquatic Mammals Echolocation in Birds Locomotion in Vertebrates Basic Locomotion Plans Locomotion in Water Locomotion in Air Locomotion on Ground Scansorial Locomotion Summary Terminal Questions Answers 16.1 INTRODUCTION In the earlier two units we attempted to answer the proximate question. How do animals behave in different ways in terms of genetic hormonal, neuronal and expenential differences among individuals. In this unit we seek ultimate answers i.e. the adaptive value of a particular behaviour. Adaptation is a fact of nature. Organisms are equipped in a variety of ways to survive successfully in their environment. This fitness to live under specific environmental L conditions is conferred on organisms through the interaction of variation and Natural Selection. Consequently all heritable adaptive changes are evolutionary changes. The pressing need for survival in organisms has resulted in the evolution of a variety of strategies for (a) luring the prey for food; (b) attracting the mate for reproduction, and (c) defending oneself from predators. These strategies are related to the habitat of the animal. For example, in the darkness of caves, bats and cave birds navigate and hunt through I echolocation. In the abyssmal depths of the sea, fishes emit various patterns of light for j the purposes of schooling, navigating and finding conspecific mates and food. -
WE ARE Forming Characters for Heaven. No Character Can Be
July 11, 1968 evitew Vol. 145 No. 28 REVIEW AND HERALD • GENERAL CHURCH PAPER OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS -4Z thiti WiSit 'as they should , Because' others re wf.97,%,: is. pp *excuse for you to no. wrong. Two wrongs W innOnaXe one right. You have- victories to gain ii order?,tall*ercome as Christ overcame. 'Christ never.. murmured, never uttered discontent, <11 ct COPYRIGHT EfJ 1968 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD RUSSELL HARLAN-, ARTIST . displeasure, or resentnient. He was never disheart- Christ is our example in patience, forbearance, and meekness. ened, discouraged, rnitled, or fretted. He was pa- tient, calm, and self-poSsessed under the most ex- citing and trying, circumstances. All His works were E ARE forming characters for heaven. perfornied with a quiet dignity and ease, whatever- No character can be coMplete without commotion was around Him. Applause did not elate Wtrial and suffering. We must be tested,' Him. IP feared not the threats of His enemies. He we must be tried. Christ bore the test, of character, fz inovettarind. the world of excitement, of violence in our behalf that we might bear this test in our and crime, as the sun moves above the clouds. Hu- own behalf through the divine strength He has Man passions =and commotions and trials were be- hrought to us. Christ is our example in patience, neath Him. the sun above them all. in forbearance, in meekness and lowliness of mind. Yet He was nett indifferent to the woes of men. His He was at variance and at war with the whole heart was ever *0bed with the sufferings and ungodly world, yet He did not give way to passion necessities of His brethren, as though He Himself and violence.