German scientists have created Bionic Ants that mimic real insect teamwork. They make individual decisions and work together to achieve a shared goal. The BionicANTS robots, which are human-sized and can be made using a 3-D printer by German engineering company Festo, were created to work in factories. They are designed for collaboration and can accomplish tasks that they couldn’t do on their own like moving large objects across surfaces. Festo engineers said: “With one eyes for detail and the big picture in mind: For the BionicANTs the Festo engineers haven’t only used the delicate anatomy naturally occurring in ants as a model. The cooperative behavior of these creatures was transferred for the first time to technology with complex control algorithms. Festo’s BioANT is very similar to a real ant. Fento, Image: “BionicANTs are similar to their natural roles models. They work together according to clear rules. The BionicANTs communicate and coordinate their movements and actions. BionicANTs can react independently in different circumstances, but they work together as a networked system, coordinating their actions with each other. By pulling together and pushing, they can transport a large object over a specified area. Engineers praise their remarkable cooperative behavior and their innovative production process. Engineers wrote that “for the first time laser-sintered parts are then subsequently embellished by visible conductor structures, in the so-called 3DMID process.” They also explained how the electrical circuits were attached to the component’s surface. This allows them to take on both design and electrical functions simultaneously. The robot can be equipped with all the necessary technical components and they will coordinate perfectly. After all components have been activated it’s no longer necessary for an external control system to be used. It is possible to still monitor the parameters wirelessly, and intervene if necessary. In terms of constructional design, the BionicANTs look very similar to their wild cousins. The instrument used to grasp objects is reproduced with great detail, including the mouth. The jaw acts as an actuator for two piezoceramic-ceramic-bending transducers, their ‘pincers.’ The engineers explain that if a voltage is applied on the plates, it deflects and passes the direction of motion mechanically to their gripping jaws. Festo uses piezo technology to control the legs of its robot. The Piezo element can be controlled quickly and precisely, and they don’t require much space. BioANT measures approximately the same size as a human’s hand. Image: Festo. The robot’s legs are described by engineers as “Three trimorphic, piezo-ceramic, bending transducers that serve both an actuator and as a design element. The ant raises its leg by deflecting the top-bending transducer. “The pair beneath allows each leg to be deflected in the opposite direction. The team created a flexible hinge joint to increase the lift. Every ant moves according to a set of rules that have been developed beforehand through mathematical modeling. These are also stored in the robot. There is no hierarchy in this multi-agent system. By using distributed intelligence, all BionicANTS can contribute to the same task. The robot’s body has a radio module that communicates with other workers. They can use a 3D camera attached to their heads to identify and locate the object they hold. Each ant can use landmarks to help contextualise its surroundings. Opto-electrical sensors in the abdomen use the structure of the floor to determine how an ant moves relative to the ground. The scientists said that each ant can see its location using both of these systems, even though its vision isn’t always clear. Festo also created lightweight butterfly robots that weigh 32 grams, and can move around uncannily just like real insects. Video – Robot Ants This Festo video shows three BioANTs working in concert to transport an object on a surface.
