Bush robot
Encyclopedia
Bush robots, as envisioned by Hans Moravec
, are the ultimate in dexterity and reconfigurability. They earn their nickname from their appearance: bush robots repeatedly branch in a fractal
way into trillions of nanoscale
fingers. According to the author, it will be half a century before we have the required technology to build them.
Bush robots are also referenced as very recent technology in the Transhuman Space
roleplaying game. They are also featured in some novels, such as Rocheworld
by author and physicist Robert L. Forward, Iron Sunrise
and Singularity Sky
by author Charles Stross
, Matter
by author Iain M. Banks, The Return of Bruce Wayne #6 by Grant Morrison
and Lee Garbett
and The Adventures of Lando Calrissian
, by author L. Neil Smith
.
Bush robots play an important role in Ken Macleod
's The Cassini Division, part of his science-fiction series The Fall Revolution.
Hans Moravec
Hans Moravec is an adjunct faculty member at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. He is known for his work on robotics, artificial intelligence, and writings on the impact of technology. Moravec also is a futurist with many of his publications and predictions focusing on...
, are the ultimate in dexterity and reconfigurability. They earn their nickname from their appearance: bush robots repeatedly branch in a fractal
Fractal
A fractal has been defined as "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is a reduced-size copy of the whole," a property called self-similarity...
way into trillions of nanoscale
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
fingers. According to the author, it will be half a century before we have the required technology to build them.
Bush robots are also referenced as very recent technology in the Transhuman Space
Transhuman Space
Transhuman Space is a role-playing game published by Steve Jackson Games as parts of the "Powered by GURPS" line. Set in the year 2100, humanity has begun to colonize the Solar System...
roleplaying game. They are also featured in some novels, such as Rocheworld
Rocheworld
Rocheworld is a science fiction novel by Robert Forward in which he uses a light sail propulsion system to set the crew on an interstellar mission. The spaceship and crew of 20 have to travel 5.9 light-years Rocheworld (first published in serial form in 1982; first book publication, under the...
by author and physicist Robert L. Forward, Iron Sunrise
Iron Sunrise
Iron Sunrise is a 2004 hard science fiction novel by author Charles Stross, which follows the events in Singularity Sky. The book was nominated for both the Hugo and Locus Awards in 2005....
and Singularity Sky
Singularity Sky
- External links :* at * * at Worlds Without End...
by author Charles Stross
Charles Stross
Charles David George "Charlie" Stross is a British writer of science fiction, Lovecraftian horror and fantasy. He was born in Leeds.Stross specialises in hard science fiction and space opera...
, Matter
Matter (novel)
Matter is a science fiction novel from Iain Banks, under the name Iain M. Banks in his Culture series. It was published on 25 January 2008.Matter was a finalist for the 2009 Prometheus Award.- Creation :...
by author Iain M. Banks, The Return of Bruce Wayne #6 by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Lee Garbett
Lee Garbett
Lee Garbett is a British comic book artist born in the West Midlands. He has worked on British comics. As of February 2011, he is working freelance after a period of exclusivity with DC Comics.-Career:...
and The Adventures of Lando Calrissian
The Adventures of Lando Calrissian
The Adventures of Lando Calrissian is a trilogy of science fiction novels set in the Star Wars galaxy 5–2 years BBY. The series serves as a prequel to the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. The trilogy follows the smuggling days of Lando Calrissian before the movies and helps further...
, by author L. Neil Smith
L. Neil Smith
L. Neil Smith , also known to readers and fans as El Neil, is a libertarian science fiction author and political activist. He was born on May 12, 1946 in Denver...
.
Bush robots play an important role in Ken Macleod
Ken MacLeod
Ken MacLeod , is a Scottish science fiction writer.MacLeod was born in Stornoway. He graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in zoology and has worked as a computer programmer and written a masters thesis on biomechanics....
's The Cassini Division, part of his science-fiction series The Fall Revolution.