Robot made out of tree branches learns to move on its own

Scientists have evolved robots enough that they can jog and even backflip or teach themselves to maneuver on their own. This time researchers have made a robot out of tree branches that learns to move by itself.

The robot was made as a part of collaboration between researchers at the University of Tokyo and an AI firm called Preferred Networks. The unique robot is able to move around despite of its size, shape, or the variety of branches it’s made from.

Video Courtesy: Azumi Maekawa

Before the robot was made, the team weighed the branches, scanned them in 3D, and then uploaded it to a deep learning network. With this data, along with details about the type of servos being used for connecting the branches and their range of motions, the team allowed an AI to simulate how a prototype robot might move through deep reinforcement learning, explained IEEE Spectrum.

The simulation shows movements that are said to produce the longest walks. After trying out millions of possible movements, the robot was finally able to get from point A to point B by slowly crawling itself.

However, the researchers did have to make sure that any learned behavior that can easily snap the branches was avoided as its parts aren’t that strong as compared to other materials such as carbon fiber.

Moreover, though the robot might not be as useful as the rest, the team believes that it’s very flexible as it can be made by something as readily available as tree branches and can be available in timely manner, instead of depending on specialized parts or components, as per Gizmodo.