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Robot Biomimicry
MICHAEL CHERRY / TEEN AND YOUTH LIBRARIAN
Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library
Type of Library Best Suited for: School or Public
Cost Estimate: $5,000–$10,000
Makerspace Necessary? No
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Robot Biomimicry program explores how engineers are inspired by animals, reptiles, and other living organisms in the design of real-world robots. In addition to exploring companies like Boston Dynamics and Festo, students learn how nature influenced Leonardo da Vinci’s designs for flying machines. Students attending the classes build and program Lego Mindstorms and Lego WeDo robots. They must design a robot inspired by an animal, insect, or reptile and describe its form and function for a robot zoo.
OVERVIEW
This program is designed as a robotics camp for grades 2–4 and 5–8. The camp consists of four 90-minute programs and the classes are separated according to age groups. Students attending the 2nd–4th grade camp design and program Lego WeDo robots. Students attending the 5th–8th grade camp design with Lego Mindstorms. This camp can be modified into a one-day workshop or special program, such as Hour of Code.
MATERIALS LIST
- ◦ Lego WeDo 2.0 sixteen-student classroom pack
- ◦ Lego Mindstorms EV3 and NXT 2.0
- ◦ Lego software and app
- ◦ Lego WeDo 2.0 curriculum pack
- ◦ Sample videos, books, and websites
- ◦ Rechargeable or AA batteries
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
- ◦ iPads (3rd generation or newer)
- ◦ Laptops
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Day 1: Locomotion
Each day of the camp explores a different theme relating to biomimicry. Day one introduces students to the term biomimicry and examines the robotics design company Boston Dynamics. This is one of the leading companies utilizing biomimetic design in the construction of its robots.
Librarians can screen various videos of Boston Dynamics’s robots that are accessible via the company’s YouTube channel. The videos contain robots influenced by various creatures, including BigDog, Sand Flea, and Wildcat, among others. As students watch the videos, prompt them with discussion questions. For example, can students describe how these robots might aid humans at certain tasks? Are there limitations to the designs that may impede their intended functions? It is important to note that Boston Dynamics receives funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for the development of technologies used by the military. Robots like BigDog are designed to aid in the transport of heavy military supplies.
After viewing and discussing the videos, students are tasked with designing their first robot. The 2nd–4th grade class designs the Lego WeDo tadpole from the Lego WeDo 2.0 curriculum. After building the tadpole, students program it to move forward by starting with the sample code Lego provides and then modifying the code with additional blocks. In addition, students transform the tadpole to a frog using Lego bricks and reprogram it. Whereas the tadpole included step-by-step instructions, the frog must be designed by the students.
Similarly, the 5th–8th grade class designs and programs a Lego Mindstorms frog. Step-by-step instructions for building a frog can be found in Fay Rhodes’s book Robots Alive!: Endangered Species. Pieces can be modified to work with the Lego NXT 2.0 and EV3 kits. Upon completing their designs, students program their robots using the movement, sound, and wait blocks.
Day 2: Flight
Day two explores the use of aerial robots. Students are introduced to the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci’s drawings of early flying machines illustrate the use of biomimicry throughout history. Compare Da Vinci’s sketches to the aerial robots manufactured by the German automation company Festo. Whereas the previous videos demonstrated the use of robots on land, Festo’s biomimetic robots explore aerial terrain. The company’s website contains a link to their research network called the Bionic Learning Network. The network contains various videos that illustrate aerial robots in the form of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. Discussion questions may include: What potential uses do aerial robots have today? How can aerial robots aid with agriculture and various industrial applications?
Upon completing the videos, the 2nd–4th grade class designs and programs the Lego WeDo bee and flower from the Lego WeDo 2.0 curriculum. They program the bee to stop at the flower using the motor and motion sensor.
Similarly, the 5th–8th grade class builds and programs a winged creature using Lego Mindstorms. Each creature must be able to move its wings using the programming blocks. Advanced builders can incorporate the ultrasonic (NXT 2.0) or infrared sensor (EV3) to trigger this movement. Yoshihito Isogawa’s book The Lego Mindstorms EV3 Idea Book: 181 Simple Machines and Clever Contraptions is a great resource for this activity. The chapter titled “Arms, Wings, and Other Movements” contains various wing designs. Additional chapters include designs for four-legged creatures and projects that resemble claws or jaws.
Day 3: Touch
Screen the video featuring Festo’s robotic elephant arm from NOVA’s television episode “Making Stuff Wilder.” Portions of this PBS episode can be accessed via YouTube by searching “Robotic Arm Inspired by the Elephant Trunk.” The video features a robotic arm inspired by an elephant trunk and fish fin. Discuss the ways robotic arms can aid in different industries, including aerospace and manufacturing.
Additionally, both classes begin work on their final project. Students must design an original robot for the robot zoo. Their robot can take the form of an animal, reptile, or insect and must aid in human development. Each robot must include a moveable feature, such as a tail, wings, legs, or other body part. Programmable sensors are optional.
Lego Mindstorms raptor, 5th–8th grade
Lego WeDo beetle, 2nd–4th grade
In addition to the books mentioned above, there are a variety of resources students could use to get started. For example, the Lego WeDo 2.0 curriculum contains a section called “open projects.” These projects provide base models for building robots that walk, grab, push, wobble, or tilt. Many of the base models can be used to create different creatures. Elsewhere, the website www.nxtprograms.com contains free project instructions for building robots with Lego Mindstorms. Some of these projects include mammals and reptiles that may inspire students to think about their own designs.
Day 4: Health and Medicine
Screen the TEDx Cleveland State University video titled “Robot Biomimicry” featuring Professor Ton van den Bogert. As with the preceding videos, Professor van den Bogert’s TED talk can be accessed via YouTube. This fascinating video describes the limits to the aforementioned BigDog and explores the use of robotic exoskeletons in human rehabilitation. Discuss other ways robots can aid with medical disabilities, such as personal assistants.
Finally, students complete their projects for the robot zoo. Each student presents his or her original robot and describes its form and function.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- ◦ Students learn the concept of biomimicry by exploring its applications in engineering, science, and art.
- ◦ They discover how engineers are inspired by animals, insects, and reptiles in the design of real-world robots.
- ◦ Students explore biomimetic robots from different industries that aid in locomotion, health and medicine, flight, and touch.
- ◦ They design and program various biomimetic robots, including one for a robot zoo.
RECOMMENDED NEXT PROJECTS
Libraries can partner with their city zoo to enhance students’ understanding of the natural world. Students can design robots based on animal and reptile exhibits at their city zoo. In addition, they can learn how zoo animals adapt to their natural environments and how they may inspire solutions to design challenges. This is a partnership that the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library is currently exploring with the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana.