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Refactoring Space Exploration with Soft Machines

I just gave a Google Tech Talk earlier this week and they kindly recorded it. This is a good summary of my current work presented for the general audience. Enjoy!

ABSTRACT

To understand how we control motion, we need to understand the physical
mechanism being moved. Emerging theories of vertebrate physiology are
overturning the traditional bone-centric model of the body in favor of a
“tensegrity” model, in which the primary load paths are in the continuous
tension network of the soft tissues. In this talk, I will discuss research
and development at NASA Ames into dynamic tensegrity robots and how these
“soft machines” may be controlled through biologically inspired methods.
Along the way, I will talk about how the unique properties of tensegrity
robots may enable new methods of planetary landing and exploration.

Posted in Bodies, Brains, Presentations, Robots, Tensegrity.

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