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To: JDN who wrote (215108)8/9/2007 3:38:53 PM
From: Neeka  Respond to of 793957
 
I took a glance at google. Some sites say they are being developed, some say they already exist, but those are primitive and that it will take more technology to make them useful.

A message from Roboster that I cannot link for some reason:

Scientists have always wanted to keep humans away from hazardous tasks such as detecting bombs, gas leaks and drugs.

For this the only way out is to have sniffer robots that can smell things out. Yet since the technology is not as advanced as it should be the researchers are constantly working on new algorithms to make the technology come to life.

Now scientists have developed new software that they are calling as ‘Infotaxis’. The software relies on a mechanism that is used by animals to find food and mate. They smell in the air or the water and that acts as a GPS for them.

The problem with this approach is that the odour fades with distance. The algorithm then uses a moth like zigzag path to maximize the information gain.

This algorithm can make the robot find the path in even the most difficult circumstances and if it is a success then it can surely save some lives…!


Here's a little four legged robot sniffer.