Yoichi Kawaguchi is a professor of robotics & computer artist who is leading a University Of Tokyo team to further understand the inner workings of artificial life. These sculptures are now on display at a temple in Tokyo with the real versions of the robots planned to be operational in two more years.
"Kawaguchi and his team are developing a basic reflex system for the primitive artificial life forms, as well as a visual processing system equipped with eyes that recognize and instinctively track certain objects."
"As part of their research, Kawaguchi and his team have conducted computer simulations to investigate the use of neural oscillators in a locomotion system that imitates the way centipedes crawl. They are also working on simple, mechanical tentacles that extend and contract to move the robot in a specified direction."
"With a more thorough understanding of how primitive life forms survive, the researchers believe they can provide robots with a better ability to move, hunt, sense danger, and escape. They suggest that strong survival and hunting skills can be put to use in applications ranging from security guard dog robots to swarm robots tasked with exploring the surface of an alien planet."
Quoted text from Pink Tentacle
[VIA]
