Sunday, March 10, 2013

Robotics

     The concept of robotics has always been a fascinating topic to me. My first collision with this mechanical concept was via Star Wars. Droids, of course. Not technically robots, but robotic nonetheless. Imagine my surprise when it turned out that modern technology had not even come close to developing AI as, uh, intelligent as the droids of the Star Wars franchise.

Although I have absolutely no understanding of engineering or mechanics (or robotics, for that matter), I have a (somewhat) vivid imagination whose only limitations are the galaxies of far, far away. Which is a long ways away.

Robotics has a varied history in science-fiction. From Isaac Asimov's 3 laws of robotics to the Butlerian Jihad to participants of the Clone Wars, robots have featured highly in that genre that marries technological advancement to fantastical environments that may or may not be populated by grotesque alien races.

Now, before you start saying stuff like, "Oh, that's not practical, his arm will never move like that," let me say something... you're absolutely right.

Also, due to my limited vocabulary, you will not be treated to such highly esoteric terms as "auto-gyration", "circumlocution" or "gradation-based-sensor-chips." Actually, I'm not sure if any of those terms are actually part of the canon used in the arena of robotics engineering. But they sure sound intelligent.





Please, don't be alarmed. He's friendly, I promise. Although he may look somewhat intimidating, he's actually quite helpful. Well, I think he is. I'm not sure what he does. Perhaps he's a home services droid, or something... Anyhow, ever since I began seriously considering robots, there comes the concomitant issue of locomotion, or, how the robot moves. In an attempt to improve the range of appendage-movement, I tried to develop a somewhat functional metallic muscle. And yes, that is a skull to the left. 


Those of you who are familiar with that masterful seminal work of Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, will perhaps recall that haunting literary nightmare, the Mechanical Hound. These are studies in how the head would be designed, with it's freakish hypodermic needle protruding from its cold, hard visage.


This is a development of the Mechanical Hound, although not quite a hound. Rather a velociraptor, or something of that sort. The Mechanical Raptor. Yes, I rather like that. As you can see, I was attempting to give it a somewhat bird-like look. It kinda looks like a bald chicken... Also, the one to the bottom-right is merely a shadow study (and a poor one at that).



The Mechanical Raptor, 2.0. As you can see, though, it is somewhat off-balance, or else is in motion. However, the lack of a second leg detracts somewhat from the illusion of motion.

Of course, any robot is going to have scary qualities about him (it). Some are just, er, scarier than others. The image to the top-right is a profile of the dominant spider-octopus image thingy. And the others are doodles.



This is... a study... Of, uh, cylindrical shapes. And a little robotic swallowtail.



Aww... Isn't this just too sweet? Look at that, it found a flower. 


Well... that's it. I would have more to say, but as I said previously, I know nearly nothing about anything I have drawn. So, that precludes any practical comments I could make on these robotic concepts.
Disclaimer: You will have to excuse the unemotional stares of these robots. They did not intend to appear so. Their designer is entirely at fault. 

- Johnny S. Reighard