Bio-Inspired Autonomous Systems

What Is It?

Bio-inspired autonomous systems apply principles of sensory motor control, sensing and biomechanics from biological systems to the design of advanced vehicle prototypes that exceed current engineering capabilities.

How Does It Work?

These systems are comprised of efficient propulsion mechanisms based on animal biolocomotion that are combined with adaptive nonlinear neural controllers and bio-inspired sensing and navigation.The resulting vehicles are efficient, low-noise, highly maneuverable and capable of long mission duration.

What Will It Accomplish?

These systems will expand the operational envelope of naval autonomous systems, enable autonomous underwater vehicles that are both maneuverable and long duration, and enable underwater vehicles that are stealthy and agile. 

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Biorobotics Program investigates bio-inspired autonomous undersea vehicles— with additional work in micro air vehicles and humanoid robots—to support human-robot interaction research.

Program accomplishments include: neuroscience research into motor control circuit controlling; movement patterns which lead to analog; and nonlinear neural controllers which produce precise adaptive synchroniziation of a six-foil underwater vehicle.

By analyzing the fluid dynamics of fly wing and fish fins, ONR-sponsored performers have developed new principles for high-lift propulsion due to dynamic stall mechanisms. High-lift pitching and heaving foils developed at the Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC) have captured this efficient propulsion on prototype underwater vehicles.

Bio-inspired vehicles are quiet, highly maneuverable, and capable of operating for weeks with current battery technology. Research into bio-sonar, electrosense and lateral line sensors are leading to new search and identification capabilities.

Research Challenges and Opportunities:

  • Extracting principles and implementing efficient bio-propulsion and control surfaces
  • Developing adaptive controllers for high degree of freedom bio-inspired locomotion
  • Integrating biosensing, bionavigation, locomotion and closed-loop controls to enable agile vehicles operating in complex environments
  • Developing muscle-like actuators
  • Developing vehicles that can support high level human autonomous system interaction within shared spaces
  • Developing the capabilities for micro air vehicles to perch and grasp

Point of Contact:

Dr. Thomas McKenna
(703) 696-4503
tom.mckenna@navy.mil

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