Biomimetic Locomotion

Biomimetic locomotion is a type of robotic movement in which the goal is to move in such a way as you mimic what the movement would be for an organic being. It has countless uses across the animal kingdom, including when interfacing with humans.

Just as fish respond positively when a robotic fish enters the pack and moves like they do; so a human responds positively when the robot or avatar they are speaking with, uses the appropriate human mannerisms and movement patterns. It feels more natural, so both the fish and the human, feel more at ease.

Likewise, when dealing with Alife entities in a virtual environment, the entire experience feels more natural and believable when the other denizens of the environment are all moving as the user would expect them to move.

Biomimetic locomotion is one of the many aspects of interaction design we have to get right, in order to bridge the uncanny valley.

See Also: Alife, Uncanny Valley, Behavioural Animation

Below, we offer a selection of links from our resource databases which may match this term.

Biomimetic Locomotion

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Robotic Learning Locomotion
The Learning Locomotion program by DARPA is attempting the creation of self-learning robots, with legs, not wheels, who can traverse any terrain.

VR Interfaces: CB2

CB2, which stands for Child-robot with Biomimetic Body, is a new android-based attempt at developing an artificial intelligence with social skills. The robot is essentially a bald, white baby, and it learns in much the same way - by watching expressions change on its 'mother's' face, and teaching its own neural net to cluster them together.

VR Interfaces: StringWalker
Introducing the StringWalker. The StringWalker is basically a VR locomotion sensor, to try to allow unimnpeded natural movement in virtual worlds - without bashing your nose on a physical wall. It uses strings and pulliess for its' unique approach.

Robot Fish Leads Organic Fish
Alife research carried out using a robotic fish and a swarm of biological fish in a water tunnel, has concluded that biomimetic movement is key to social interaction with animals of all types; not just humans. If it swims like a leader of the shoal, it is the leader of the shoal.

Energy Recycling, Lighter Robo Legs
Humans are able to naturally recycle about 40% of the energy in a springy step. If this can be accomplished in artificial legs, then the motors and batteries will not have to be quite as large and heavy, making life easier for developers and potential future users of the technologies, such as exoskeletons, prosthetic limbs, robots and other artificial substrate locomotion devices.

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