A 3-D odour-compass for odour-detecting robots

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 1638.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Applications of Eriko's research might be.

Provide a brief summary of aims, significance and expected outcomes of the research plan.

Odour-sensing robots offer many benefits over the current use of animals in similar roles, including safety, efficiency and durability. [A] However, the robots which have been developed to date are limited by the fact that they can only accurately detect and navigate towards odour plumes if they are within direct ‘sight' of the chemical source. Clearly, in real world situations, obstacles may well impede the robot's detection ability, and at present, odour-sensing robots are therefore only of limited use. [B] The proposed research will concentrate on developing a robot which is able to gather readings in three dimensions and therefore overcome the limitations of current models in odour-detection. [C] This technology will make robots a more effective substitute for animals.

[D] This research aims to develop existing robotic technology to create a three-dimensional (3-D) odour compass to be used as a navigation tool in searching for an odour source. [E] This will then be tested experimentally in simulated environments where wind direction is not stable or where obstacles interfere with odour distribution. A second stage in the research will be to develop the robot's environmental sensors, thus allowing it to safely negotiate the terrain to reach the source of the odour. [F] This should produce a robot which is able to both detect and move to the source of an odour, even on difficult terrain.