Nov 26 2013
The Science Museum, London, opens exhibition showing 13 Robot SafariEU biomimetic robots throughout Europe. Only two are Spanish, Bat-Bot and ITuna. They have been designed by UPM researchers.
Biomimetic robots
This November, Robot SafariEU at the Science Museum, London, will explore the fascinating world of biomimetic robots. Beginning on Wednesday 27th November at Lates and continuing over the weekend (30 Nov – 1 Dec), visitors can trek through the un-natural habitats of these robots, interacting with creatures that swim, flap, and crawl, in a unique safari experience.
Suitable for all ages, this free, three day festival will feature 13 biomimetic robots from across Europe, with many on display for the first time. Inspired by nature, this robotic safari includes an underwater turtle robot, a robotic cheetah-cub, a shoal of luminous robotic fish and the unveiling of Pleurobot, a robotic salamander.
Two of these robots are Bat-Bot and iTuna. They have been designed at the Centre for Automatic and Robotics of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. Others are creations from universities in UK, Switzerland, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and France.
Bat Bot uses extremely light artificial muscles to move. Its wings change shape during flight to efficiently manoeuvre.
iTuna is extremely simple, light and noiseless, using artificial muscles to move. This enables the robot to monitor underwater environments without disturbing local fish.
They have not been seen in the UK before.
The exhibition
Roboticists from the UK and across Europe will be on hand to demonstrate their creations, helping visitors interact with a shoal of robot fish or stretch the Bat Bot’s wings while exploring the latest developments in biomimetic robotics. Visitors can also learn how to programme simple robots and build and race their own robots in a series of interactive workshops.
“Visitors to Robot SafariEU will see not just how nature can inspire innovative robotic designs, but also how these biomimetic robots are actually advancing our understanding of the animals and plants they mimic,” explains Nicola Burghall, Content Developer for Robot SafariEU. “We’re very excited to be able to showcase some of the latest European biomimetic robotics research here at the Science Museum.”
Robot SafariEU is free and suitable for all ages (Lates is adults only). Timed tickets are required on 30 Nov & 1 Dec. These can be booked in person at the Science Museum’s ticket desks or via 020 7942 4000.
Robot SafariEU is part of Eurobotics week, and has been produced in partnership with EUNIC London (European Union National Institutes for Culture).
Robot SafariEU follows the successful 2011 Robotville EU festival held at the Science Museum, which was originally conceived by EUNIC London (European Union National Institutes for Culture), the Polish Cultural Institute in partnership with the European Commission Representation in the UK.
About the Science Museum
As the home of human ingenuity, the Science Museum’s world-class collection forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. Welcoming over 3 million visitors a year, the Museum aims to make sense of the science that shapes our lives, inspiring visitors with iconic objects, award-winning exhibitions and incredible stories of scientific achievement. More information can be found at sciencemuseum.org.uk.