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| Developing
... real skills ... real knowledge ... for a real world |
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| NASA's JPL - "Spider-Bot" |
| An automation (plural: automata) is a machine that appears to imitate spontaneously the motions of men, birds, insects or other animals. |
| "Where Science, Technology & Art Meet" |
| Biomimetics - a 21 st century term for automata |
| The study of automata is the study
of modern civilization and
therefore provides an opportunity for in-depth research
on a historic, scientific and
artistic (art & music) basis.
The ebb-and-flow of all civilizations, has been governed by two realities: mankind's physical weakness and vulnerability and mankind's intellectual strength - our ingenuity and creativity. These two realities coupled with mankind's desire to recreate life in all its manifestations have given birth to each and every development that has taken us out of our caves and propelled us into the far reaches of our universe Contemporary automata, also known as biomimetic robotics, is a unique craft-based technology that addresses the issue of creating thirst for knowledge as it relates to the sciences whether pure, applied, natural or physical, to math, art, music & technology. By its very nature, the creation of robotics stimulates the development of hand skills which empower the individual to conceptualize, design and complete the creative process, thus leaving the automatist with deep rooted feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. |
| Contemporary Automata |
| Ogopogo Sea serpents are elusive creatures and are determined to remain so, even if it means grabbing every camera in sight. Functions: - * moggie's mouth opens/closes - moggie's head turns right/left - sea serpent's head holding camera opens/closes - sea serpent's head turns right/left - tail swishes back & forth underwater |
| * a Moggie is a not-quite pedigreed cat who dreams of being human. |
Size: 6.25" by 3.5" 15.9 cm by 8.9 cm |
| There are three main differences been the technology that is used in this 16th century approach to robotics and today’s robotics. Today’s technology uses electric motors and electronic control devices (solenoids) to provide the power to activate the mechanical components (cams, levers, gears, linkages, etc.) within the automaton rather than a simple hand-crank mechanism. Modern innovators and inventors use computer hardware & software programming in lieu of mechanical programming. Since the 1700’s, the creators of automata have relied on precision crafted metal parts, mainly brass and bronze, rather than wooden components. |
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| MouseWorks Canada |
| "Where Science, Technology & Art Meet" |
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