Biobots can emulate the ability of living organisms to walk using gyroscopic balancing, algorithms to anticipate changes in center of gravity, and motion structures that imitate those of living organizations.

Biobots can extract power from chemical processing of materials from their environment, reminiscent of how biological organisms extract power with their digestive systems.

Biobots can sense and communicate using light, sound and contact in a variety of modalities and frequencies like biological creatures.

Biobots with adaptive learning capabilities may be able to survive in complex environments as do biological organisms.

Most current biobots are of the first type discussed above -- mechanical entities that imitate biological ones.  However, progress is being made toward the integration of biological elements (such as neurons) and mechanical elements (such as silicon chips) than can lead to biobots of the second type.

As an example of biological-to-mechanical integration, neural signals from the brain may be used to control remote bionic limbs. As an example of mechanical-to-biological integration, photoelectric signals from an artificial eye may be transformed and transmitted to neurons to create sight perception.

ROBOTICS RESOURCES

"Simply stated, we make robotics easier. Our customers are the people who build innovative robots." Acroname

"This site is devoted to androids. An android is an anthropomorphic robot -- i.e. a robot that looks like a human." Android World

"ASIMO -- one of the world's most advanced humanoid robots. Honda Motor Europe Ltd." ASIMO: Honda

"Evolution Robotics(tm) provides state-of-the-art robotics solutions to OEMs who wish to create mobile robots or embed robotics functionality into new or existing products." Evolution

"This list provides a resource of answers to commonly (and some uncommonly) asked questions regarding robotic systems, organizations, periodicals, and pointers to numerous other resources on the net." frc.ri.cmu.edu

"We're pushing full steam ahead with robots for the consumer market and we're considered one of the country's leading robotics R&D labs." iRobot

"MachineBrain.com provides news and information on robotic technology, artificial intelligence, and other subjects related to smart machines." Machine Brain

"The Machine Intelligence Laboratory: Computer Vision & Robotics Group: Interpretation of visual motion, visual tracking, robot guidance, face detection and tracking, image segmentation and compression."  Machine Intelligence Laboratory

"The goal of the Manipulation Lab is autonomous robotic manipulation in the presence of uncertainty." Manipulation Lab: cmu.edu

"Advanced nanobots will be able to perform computations, sense and respond to environmental stimuli, move, communicate and cooperate, perform molecular assembly, engage in self-repair, and replicate." Nanobot

"The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC) develops and applies advanced automation technologies to create new opportunities for American businesses." National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC)

"The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University was established in 1979 to conduct basic and applied research in robotics technologies relevant to industrial and societal tasks." Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University

"The Robotics Research Group (RRG) is an entity within the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Austin." Robotics Research Group (RRG): University of Texas

"Welcome to Arrick Robotics. We manufacture easy-to-use, PC-based automation products including stepper motor control systems, linear and rotary positioning tables, robotic workcells, and automation accessories such as pulley reducers and grippers." Robotics.com

"Whatever you're searching for, chances are Robotic Industries Association (RIA), sponsor of Robotics Online, can help you find it." Robotics.org

"A 'Homebot' is a personal robot that is designed to perform burdensome, hazardous, or boring tasks that are currently done by humans in a home setting." Homebot

"This site has been designed as a consultancy tool for the buyers and specifiers of robotics and automation technologies within Europe." Robotics-Technology

"Welcome to robots.net, the place to read the lastest news on personal and industrial robotics, robot competitions, and other cool stuff." Robots.net

"RobotsLife.com has a unique mission: help people understand what's happening with these electronic creatures. The sites provides both content and resources to help you catch up with the 'robot era'." RobotsLife.com

"The Leg Lab at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab is dedicated to studying legged locomotion and building dynamic legged robots. We are specialists in exploring the roles of balance and dynamic control. We are interested in simulating and building creatures which walk, run, and hop like their biological counterparts." The Leg Lab at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab

"The Toy Robot Initiative aims to commercialize robotics technologies in education, toys, entertainment and art." Toy Robot Initiative

"Bio-robotics is our non-official term for robots with biologically inspired designs and/or biology-related applications, for example bipedal walking machines and robotic arms for rehabilitation." Delft Bio-robotics Laboratory

"WCSAR's mission is to support industry in the development and commercialization of novel products and technologies derived from applied biotech research conducted in microgravity." WCSAR Wisconsin. 

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