Members of Central Shield Civic Corps conduct the operation of construction A.N.T.s (Autonomous Networked Things) as they repair a carbon capture coil near Superior City. The line between work and play is at best a fuzzy affair in Central Shield. Every citizen is expected to participate as a member of the Central Shield’s Civic Corps. Duties run the range from simple park maintenance to more complicated activities like construction and engineering of the megastructures. In exchange for their contribution to the well being of the city, the S.A.B reimburses each citizen for their efforts with a biweekly civic dividend (a form of universal basic income). This dividend is calculated such that those with the lightest duties and time commitments receive a generous living wage while those who commit more time and expertise are rewarded with larger payments.
Detail 1: Construction A.N.T. (Autonomous Networked Things)
Life and work in Central Shield is heavily reliant on a symbiotic relationship with artificial intelligence and advanced robotics. Most of the heavy and repetitive tasks associated with the construction and maintenance of the superstructures have been allocated to mechanical entities. The construction A.N.T.s in this image have been designed to mimic the extraordinary physiology of real world ants. The structure and mechanics of these A.N.T.s are based on the physical qualities of real ants.
These bots are themselves an amalgam of smaller artificial muscle bots that attach themselves to interior anchor points of the 3D printed exoskeleton and a centralized artificial nervous system which takes input from the interior bots, creating a self image that is then integrated into the larger hive mind of the eusocial swarm.
Signals
X-Ray microtomography for ant taxonomy
Abstract:
We explore the potential of x-ray micro computed tomography (μCT) for the field of ant taxonomy by using it to enhance the descriptions of two remarkable new species of the ant genus Terataner: T. balrog sp. n. and T. nymeria sp. n.. We provide an illustrated worker-based species identification key for all species found on Madagascar, as well as detailed taxonomic descriptions, which include diagnoses, discussions, measurements, natural history data, high-quality montage images and distribution maps for both new species. In addition to conventional morphological examination, we have used virtual reconstructions based on volumetric μCT scanning data for the species descriptions. We also include 3D PDFs, still images of virtual reconstructions, and 3D rotation videos for both holotype workers and one paratype queen. The complete μCT datasets have been made available online (Dryad, https://datadryad.org) and represent the first cybertypes in ants (and insects). We discuss the potential of μCT scanning and critically assess the usefulness of cybertypes for ant taxonomy.
Types of Soft Actuators for Soft Robotics
Abstract:
Soft robotics technologies are paving the way toward robotic abilities which are vital for a wide range of applications, including manufacturing, manipulation, gripping, human–machine interaction, locomotion, and more. An essential component in a soft robot is the soft actuator which provides the system with a deformable body and allows it to interact with the environment to achieve a desired actuation pattern, such as locomotion. This Review article aims to provide researchers interested in the soft robotics field with a reference guide about the various state-of-the-art soft actuation methodologies that are developed with a wide range of stimuli including light, heat, applied electric and magnetic fields with a focus on their various applications in soft robotics. The underlying principles of the soft actuators are discussed with a focus on the resulting motion complexities, deformations, and multi-functionalities. Finally, various promising applications and examples of the different soft actuators are discussed in addition to their further development potential.
Detail 2: Carbon Capture and Protein production
The spiraling structure that this team is repairing is a Carbon Capture Wall that has been designed to extract carbon out of the air. This particular structure has been designed so that the captured carbon is then converted to edible proteins by live bacteria that inhabit the wall. The bacterial channels can be identified by their greenish tinge in the cross section of these modular components. This protein can then be used to create food for the human and non-human inhabitants of Central Shield
Signals
Bacterial protein for food and feed generated via renewable energy and direct air capture of CO2: Can it reduce land and water use?
Abstract:
The global food demand is projected to significantly increase. To maintain global food security in the future, protein production needs to become more efficient regarding the use of limited land and water resources. Protein-rich biomass can be produced via direct air capture of CO2 with the help of H2-oxidizing bacteria and renewable electricity in a closed, climate-independent system. This quantitative literature review conservatively estimated the direct land and water use of bacterial protein production relying on secondary data for the components of the technology and for the reference protein sources. A several times higher potential protein yield per land area can be achieved by this technology with approximately one-tenth of the water use compared to that required for soybean production.
Detail 3: 3D Printed Construction Components
A 3d printed component is lifted off a heavy crawler transport A.N.T. This is a replacement module for a carbon capture structure that collects carbon from the air and uses a bacterial process to convert that carbon into edible proteins. The Air Protein Fin was built using a combination of architectural scale 3D printing and swarm robotics. The modular units are printed on-site and then assembled. This detail shows construction A.N.T.s lifting a modular unit from a heavy transport crawler. It will be lifted into place and installed by the team of A.N.T.s.
Signals
"Large-Scale 3D Printing for Construction Application by Means of Robotic Arm and Gantry 3D Printer: A Review
Abstract:
Additive manufacturing technologies are becoming more popular in various industries, including the construction industry. Currently, construction 3D printing is sufficiently well studied from an academic point of view, leading towards the transition from experimental to mass large-scale construction. Most questions arise about the applicability of construction 3D printers for printing entire buildings and structures. This paper provides an overview of the different types of construction 3D printing technologies currently in use, and their fundamental differences, as well as some significant data on the advantages of using these advanced technologies in construction. A description of the requirements for composite printing is also provided, with possible issues that may arise when switching from lab-scale construction printing to mass large-scale printing. All printers using additive manufacturing technologies for construction are divided into three types: robotic arm printers, portal-type printers, and gantry 3D printers. It is noted that gantry printers are more suitable for large-scale printing since some of their configurations have the ability to construct buildings that are practically unlimited in size. In addition, all printers are not capable of printing with concrete containing a coarse aggregate, which is a necessary requirement in terms of the strength and economic feasibility of 3D printing material for large-scale applications.
More Links:
Jishen Qiu,Juliana Artier,Sherri Cook,Wil V. Srubar,Jeffrey C. Cameron,Mija H. Hubler , Engineering living building materials for enhanced bacterial viability and mechanical properties, iScience 24, 102083 February 19, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102083
Detail 4 : Swarm Behavior
The A.N.T.s. operate as a eusocial swarm. This behavior is modeled after that of insects such as termites and ants. While each member of the swarm has autonomous capabilities, when they are operating in unison they form a hive mind which is able to direct each member to the best possible action, based on their physical capabilities and location relative to others in the swarm
Here you can see four units have interlocked to provide a temporary structural support for the carbon collecting fin.
Signals
Building 3d-Structures With An Intelligent Robot Swarm
Abstract:
This research is an extension to the TERMES system, a decentralized autonomous construction team composed of swarm robots building 2.5D structure , with custom-designed bricks. The work in this thesis concerns 1) improved mechanical design of the robots, 2) addition of heterogeneous building material, and 3) an extended algorithmic framework to use this material. In order to lower system cost and maintenance, the TERMES robot is redesigned for manufacturing in low-end 3D printers and the new drive train, including motor adapters and pulleys, is based on 3D printed components instead of machined aluminum. The work further extends the original system by enabling construction of 3D structures without added hardware complexity in the robots. To do this, we introduce a reusable, spring-loaded expandable brick which can be easily manufactured through one-step casting and which complies with the original robots and bricks. This thesis also introduces a decentralized construction algorithm that permits an arbitrary number of robots to build overhangs over convex cavities. To enable timely completion of large-scale structures, we also introduce a method by which to optimize the transition probabilities used by the robots to traverse the structure.
More Links:
Werfel, Justin “Building Structures with Robotic Swarms”, O’Reilly.com, 06 02 2023 https://www.oreilly.com/content/building-structures-with-robot-swarms/
Dorigo, Marco & Theraulaz, Guy & Trianni, Vito. (2021). Swarm Robotics: Past, Present, and Future. Proceedings of the IEEE. 109. 1152-1165. 10.1109/JPROC.2021.3072740. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352762371_Swarm_Robotics_Past_Present_and_Future
Detail 5: Workers
Central Shield Civic Corps
Aether Featherwish and Orlando Rolando, recent Graduates of the McEwan School of Architecture Institute of Biomimetics at the Laurentian University campus in Marathon, monitor the activities of the eusocial swarm. This procedure was mapped out “in silico”( i.e. in a virtual simulation) prior to work in the field, This training ensures that the eusocial swarm has a solid action plan for the operation.
In this image, Aether and Rolando are practicing a fire dance routine with poi in their downtime as the A.N.T.s carry out the construction mission. They will be presenting this routine at an upcoming Burn Festival in Red Rock.