NOEMA > SPECIALS > XXV PREMIO OSCAR SIGNORINI

• Frame: Aluminum plate and tube, tapped/bolt construction.
• Drivetrain: Differential drive with DC motors and drive collars, 10 inch pneumatic tires with non-driving steel axle.
• Control: A cockroach is placed atop a modified computer trackball in a special harness. As the insect moves, electrical pulses from the trackball are sent to a circuit that decodes the quadrature-data into direction-data that is sent to a set of 12V DC motor controllers. Tecel D200 motor controllers are used.
• Feedback: Eight infrared distance sensors are positioned at the front of the robot to detect potential obstacles. When a sensor is within a close proximity of an object, several bright lights shine toward the insect from the direction of the obstacle. This is designed to work with a cockroach's natural instinct to scurry toward dark places: seeing the light, the cockroach ideally turns toward the dark, and in turn, steers the robot away from the obstacle. The LEDs are arranged in a semi-circle around the front of the bug, with green LED panelblocks as a display for the insect. This is a little bit like an "insect VR CAVE".
• Special features: The robot ships as standard (but overweight) excess flight baggage, can usually be assembled in about an hour, can operate for 4 hours without needing a battery recharge and features auto-resetting fuses and diagnostic indicator lights.
• Limitations: The light-feedback system doesn't consistently give the desired object-avoidance behavior... as it turns out, cockroaches are considerably complex insects with a mind of their own.

Garnet Hertz

LINK TO ONLINE PAGE ABOUT THE ARTWORK:
http://conceptlab.com/roachbot/
Video overview: http://vimeo.com/2398096

CONCEPTUAL DESCRIPTION

"Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot" is an experimental robotic system that translates the bodily movements of a living, organic insect into the physical locomotion of a three-wheeled robot. Distance sensors at the front of the robot also provide navigation feedback to the cockroach, striving to create a pseudo-intelligent system with the cockroach as the CPU.

This project is motivated by three key concepts: 1. Biomimetics, 2. The Cyborg, and 3. The Computational/Biological.

1. Biomimetics is an approach to technological development that looks toward living, organic systems as a source of technical inspiration. Specifically within the field of robotics, cockroaches are admired and used as models for navigation logic and the physical construction of mobile robotic systems. Instead of using a model of an insect, "Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot" inverts biomimetics by using the real thing.

2. The Cyborg: Popular culture appears to have a recurring interest in the human-machine and animal-machine hybrid. This project strives to construct a literal cybernetic organism that plays into and off of cultural and scientific visions of synthetic and organic hybridity. Despite the somewhat popular "cyborg" Science Fiction concept, few hybrid robots like this have been built.

3. Thirdly, the Computational and Biological. This project, in essence, is a robotic system in which a computer-based microcontroller is replaced with a biologically-based insect. In the process, the operating machine highlights key characteristics of being biological. The robot and insect display attributes like unpredictability, laziness, irrationality and emotional response.

These three motivations are embodied in the mobile robot system, a platform that makes the intentions of the insect legible to a wide and diverse audience. Although technically and con- ceptually complex, the system is easily understood by young and old with little or no explana- tion. Individuals tend to watch the robot for extended periods of time, empathizing with the insect, and trying to discern whether or not the organism is controlling or being controlled by the technology... and whether it is aware of, immersed in, or pleased by its synthetic and me- diated environment.

Garnet Hertz

BIOGRAPHY

Garnet Hertz is a Fulbright Scholar, Research Fellow at the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, and is a doctoral student at the University of California Irvine. He also holds an MFA from the Arts Computation Engineering program at UCI and has completed UCI's Critical Theory Emphasis. His current interests include the history, theory and practice of electro/mechanical art, computing, media theory, digital/internet art and robotics. He has shown his work at several notable international venues including Ars Electronica and SIGGRAPH and is also founder of Dorkbot-Socal, a monthly Los Angeles- based lecture series on electronic art. Popular press about his work is widespread, disseminating through 25 countries including The New York Times, Wired News, I.D. Magazine, The Washington Post, Slashdot, NPR, USA Today, NBC, ARTE, Deutsche Wella, CBS, TV To- kyo, ZDTV and CNN Headline News.

Garnet Hertz

TRANSCRIPTION OF VIDEO NARRATION
Video overview: http://vimeo.com/2398096

[00:04] Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot
"Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot" is an experimental robotic system that uses a live insect as the controller, or driver, of a three-wheeled robot.

[00:30] Robot Control
The system is controlled by a Giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, about 5 cm, or 2 inches, in length. The insect is placed on top of a modified computer trackball, with an adjustable harness that helps the insect stay on top of the ball. The ball operates like a two axis treadmill that controls the motion of the larger robot: as the cockroach moves forward on the ball, the robot moves forward. If the cockroach scurries to the left, the robot moves to the left. If the cockroach scurries to the right, the robot moves to the right.

[01:25] Sensors & Feedback
The robot also features a navigation and sensor system to help the insect avoid smashing the robot into nearby objects. An array of distance sensors looks out in front of the robot. When an object is a few feet in front of the robot, the sensors detect the object and shine lights toward the insect from the direction of the obstacle. Banks of small lights are positioned around the front of the cockroach in attempt to build an immersive, virtual environment. Since cockroaches tend to avoid light, the insect should -- in theory -- turn into the dark and therefore steer the robot away from obstacles.

[02:09] Motivations
This project is inspired by three key influences.

[02:15] Biomimetics
First: Biomimetics. An approach to technological development that looks toward living, organic systems as a source of inspiration. Specifically within the field of robotics, cockroaches are admired and used as models for the navigation logic and physical construction of mobile robotic systems.

[02:40] Cyborg
Second: The Cyborg. Popular culture appears to have a recurring interest in the human-machine and animal-machine hybrid. This project strives to construct a literal cybernetic organism that plays in and off of cultural and scientific visions of synthetic and organic hybridity.

[03:03] Computational/Biological
Thirdly, the Computational and Biological. This project, in essence, is a robotic system in which the computer based microcontroller is replaced with a biologically-based insect. In the process, the operating machine highlights key characteristics of being biological. The robot and insect display attributes like unpredictability, laziness, irrationality and emotional response.

[03:32] Audience Response
The mobility of the robot makes the intentions of the insect legible to a wide and diverse audience. Individuals tend to watch the robot for extended periods of time, empathizing with the
insect, and trying to discern whether or not the organism is controlling or being controlled by
the technology... and whether it is aware of, immersed in, or pleased by its synthetic and mediated environment.

[04:15] Garnet Hertz 2006

[04:20] http://conceptlab.com/roachbot/

Garnet Hertz

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