Objective
It has been observed that discrete and autonomous entities, on scales from the molecular to the planetary, bind to each other without being externally directed. The underlying process, termed self-assembly, encouraged researchers from many disciplines to study the design of modular and collective robot systems in which new entities arise autonomously by self-assembling. However, potential uses of such entities and their merits with respect to traditional robots are vastly unexplored. This project represents a systematic attempt to evaluate the utility of self-assembly for autonomous robot missions in highly unstructured, unknown environments.
In particular, we examine:
(i) mechanisms that let components of a robotic system organize into connected logical entities displaying primitive forms of self-repair and self-replication, and
(ii) mechanisms that let these entities navigate all-terrain and manipulate different objects, while at the same time adapting their degree of mobility and strength by adding or rejecting components.
The study will be carried out using the state-of-the-art swarm-bot system, the outcome of a project funded by the Future and Emerging Technologies programme of the European Commission. Additionally, the applicant will participate in the development of a new modular robot that potentially will overcome the shortcomings of current systems.
The structure of the project is such that there will be two main transfer of knowledge flows:
(i) from the applicant to the host institute, the applicant will provide extensive experience in controlling modular robot systems with state-of-the-art techniques such as swarm-intelligent, behaviour-based and evolutionary robotics;
(ii) from the host institute to the applicant, the applicant will acquire, by taking part in the design and implementation of the new modular robot hardware, unique and advanced competencies in robotics that will be very important for his future career in robotics research.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics autonomous robots
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LAUSANNE
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.