“Sniffer” Robots: Artificial Noses Brandon Yarborough

Components of an Artificial Nose Chemical sensing system (e.g., sensory array or spectrometer) Each chemical vapor presented to the sensor array produces a pattern characteristic (signature) of the vapor. Each chemical vapor presented to the sensor array produces a pattern characteristic (signature) of the vapor. A database of signatures is built up by presenting many different chemicals to the sensor array. A database of signatures is built up by presenting many different chemicals to the sensor array. The database of labeled signatures is used to train the pattern recognition system. The database of labeled signatures is used to train the pattern recognition system.

Components of an Artificial Nose (cont.) Pattern recognition system (e.g., artificial neural network) Used to analyze complex data and to recognize patterns Used to analyze complex data and to recognize patterns Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are collections of mathematical models that attempt to emulate some of the properties of biological nervous systems. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are collections of mathematical models that attempt to emulate some of the properties of biological nervous systems.

General Structure of an Artificial Nose

Possible Applications for “Sniffer” Robots Detecting drugs and other materials in airports Locating victims of avalanches and earthquakes Mine/bomb detection Detection of chemical leaks Tracking escaped prisoners

RAT: The Reactive Autonomous Testbed Created by Andrew Russell at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia The “smellbot”, as it is known, can successfully detect and follow odors through a maze. Can detect odors with a concentration of as little as one part per million (though this is not as efficient as a dog, or even a human)

Pictures of RAT

Videos of RAT in action il%20%231.mov il%20%231.mov me%20%231.mov me%20%231.mov

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