Being focused on "reaction-based" behaviors (as originally inspired by the work of
Rodney Brooks), BEAM robotics attempts to copy the characteristics and behaviours of biological
organisms, with the ultimate goal of domesticating these "wild" robots. The aesthetics of BEAM robots derive from the principle "
form follows function" modulated by the particular design choices the builder makes while implementing the desired functionality.
Disputes in the name Various people have varying ideas about what BEAM actually stands for. The most widely accepted meaning is
Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics. This term originated with Mark Tilden during a discussion at the Ontario Science Centre in 1990. Mark was displaying a selection of his original bots which he had built while working at
the University of Waterloo. However, there are many other semi-popular names in use, including: •
Biotechnology
Ethology
Analogy
Morphology •
Building
Evolution
Anarchy
Modularity
Microcontrollers Unlike many other types of robots controlled by
microcontrollers, BEAM robots are built on the principle of using multiple simple behaviours linked directly to sensor systems with little
signal conditioning. This design philosophy is closely echoed in the classic book "Vehicles: Experiments in Synthetic Psychology". Through a series of thought experiments, this book explores the development of complex robot behaviours through simple inhibitory and excitory sensor links to the
actuators. Microcontrollers and
computer programming are usually not a part of a traditional (aka., "pure" ) BEAM robot due to the very low-level hardware-centric design
philosophy. There are successful robot designs mating the two technologies. These "hybrids" fulfill a need for robust control systems with the added flexibility of dynamic programming, like the "
horse-and-rider"
topology BEAMbots (e.g. the ScoutWalker 3). 'Horse' behavior is implemented with traditional BEAM technology but a microcontroller based 'rider' can guide that behavior so as to accomplish the goals of the 'rider'.
Types There are various "
-trope" BEAMbots, which attempt to achieve a specific goal. Of the series, the phototropes are the most prevalent, as light-seeking would be the most beneficial behaviour for a solar-powered robot. • Audiotropes react to sound sources. •
Audiophiles go towards sound sources. •
Audiophobes go away from sound sources. • Phototropes ("light-seekers") react to light sources. •
Photophiles (also
Photovores) go toward light sources. •
Photophobes go away from light sources. • Radiotropes react to
radio frequency sources. •
Radiophiles go toward RF sources. •
Radiophobes go away from RF sources. • Thermotropes react to heat sources. •
Thermophiles go toward heat sources. •
Thermophobes go away from heat sources.
General BEAMbots have a variety of movements and positioning mechanisms. These include: •
Sitters: Unmoving robots that have a physically passive purpose. • Beacons: Transmit a signal (usually a navigational blip) for other BEAMbots to use. • Pummers : Display a "light show" or a pattern of sounds. Pummers are often nocturnal robots that store solar energy during the day, then activate during the night. • Ornaments : A catch-all name for sitters which are not beacons or pummers. Many times, these are mostly
electronic art. •
Squirmers: Stationary robots that perform an interesting action (usually by moving some sort of limbs or appendages). • Magbots: use magnetic fields for their mode of animation. • Flagwavers: Move a display (or "flag") around at a certain frequency. • Heads: Pivot and follow some detectable phenomena, such as a light (These are popular in the BEAM community. They can be stand-alone robots, but are more often incorporated into a larger robot.). • Vibrators: Use a small pager motor with an off-centre weight to shake themselves about. •
Sliders: Robots that move by sliding body parts smoothly along a surface while remaining in contact with it. • Snakes: Move using a horizontal wave motion. • Earthworms: Move using a
longitudinal wave motion. •
Crawlers: Robots that move using tracks or by rolling the robot's body with some sort of appendage. The body of the robot is not dragged on the ground. • Turbots: Roll their entire bodies using their arms or flagella. • Inchworms: Move part of their bodies ahead, while the rest of the chassis is on the ground. • Tracked robots: Use tracked wheels, like a
tank. •
Jumpers: Robots which propel themselves off the ground as a means of locomotion. • Vibrobots: Produce an irregular shaking motion moving themselves around a surface. • Springbots: Move forward by bouncing in one particular direction. •
Rollers: Robots that move by rolling all or part of their body. • Symets: Driven using a single motor with its shaft touching the ground, and moves in different directions depending on which of several symmetric contact points around the shaft are touching the ground. •
Solarrollers: Solar-powered cars that use a single motor driving one or more wheels; often designed to complete a fairly short, straight and level course in the shortest amount of time. • Poppers: Use two motors with separate
solar engines; rely on differential sensors to achieve a goal. • Miniballs: Shift their
centre of mass, causing their spherical bodies to roll. •
Walkers: Robots that move using legs with differential ground contact. BEAM walkers generally use
Nv networks and are not programmed in any way—they walk and respond to terrain via resistive input from their motors. • Motor Driven: Use motors to move their legs (typically 3 motors or less). • Muscle Wire Driven: use
Nitinol (nickel -
titanium alloy) wires for their leg actuators. •
Swimmers: Also called aquabots or aquavores. Robots that move on or below the surface of a liquid (typically water). • Boatbots: Operate on the surface of a liquid. • Subbots: Operate under the surface of a liquid. •
Fliers: Robots that move through the air for sustained periods. • Helicopters: Use a powered rotor to provide both lift and propulsion. • Planes: Use fixed or flapping wings to generate lift. • Blimps: Use a neutrally-buoyant balloon for lift. •
Climbers: Robot that moves up or down a vertical surface, usually on a track such as a rope or wire. ==Applications and current progress==