Creation of a learning, flying robot by means of evolution

Abstract

We demonstrate the first instance of a real on-line robot learning to develop feasible flying (flapping) behavior, using evolution. Here we present the experiments and results of the first use of evolutionary methods for a flying robot. With nature's own method, evolution, we address the highly non-linear fluid dynamics of flying. The flying robot is constrained in a test bench where timing and movement of wing flapping is evolved to give maximal lifting force. The robot is assembled with standard off-the-shelf R/C servomotors as actuators. The implementation is a conventional steady-state linear evolutionary algorithm.