Episode Thirteen – Robot evolution: survival of the fittest

Robot Talk · 28 Jan 2022 · 39m · Episode 13

What this episode covers

Edgar Buchanan of the University of York explains the Autonomous Robot Evolution project, which uses evolutionary algorithms to design and fabricate robots via a 'RoboFab' system for unknown environments like space or nuclear sites. Prof Fumiya Iida of the University of Cambridge discusses his 'On the Origins of Robot Species' project, where mother robots generate diverse child robots through stochastic mutation and selection to solve complex locomotion problems. Dr Hemma Philamore of the University of Bristol describes bio-hybrid robots using microbial fuel cells to convert organic matter into energy, enabling environmental sensing and long-term autonomous operation in ecosystems.

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