BEAM robotics (acronym for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics) is a type of analog robotics that uses simple analog circuits instead of a microprocessor. The underlying mechanism was invented by Mark W. Tilden. BEAM robotics use a paradigm of minimalist electronics to construct mechanical "lifeforms" that usually parallel a natural counterpart.
BEAM is alternatively said to stand for:
- Building Evolution Anarchy Modularity
- Biotechnology Ethnology Analogy Morphology
The BEAM robots interact with their environment through nervous networks (sometimes referred to as the robot's "brain"), using random patterns with sensors and motor feedback instead of sensors and programmable logic. This approach is sometimes called the neuron approach.
Since the fields inception, BEAM robotics has grown to be a significant branch of robotics (particularly for hobbyists).
See also: Wired intelligence
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