BIomorphicRObot with Distributed power is a new concept in robots. It incorporates the latest in biomorphic innovations such as muscle wires, chemical energy storage and mechanical conversion, and sensors. However the crucial advance is in the area of diagnostics and real-time, on-board repair capability. Essentially, BIROD is a small robot that rides on larger spacecraft, looking for trouble spots, and (more important) imminent trouble spots. Next, the BIROD does a quick diagnostics and proceeds to repair the faulty components, after getting approval from mission controllers, if it determines that there is sufficient time for this two-way communication.
This innovation has been the subject of a NASA NTR and the hardware
is being built by a dedicated group of undergraduates and high school interns.
