Automata

Definition Automaton -- Something which has the power of spontaneous motion or self-movement. (OED) pl. automata or automatons

Golem Myth First from Jewish mysticism around the 10th century, where a Rabbi could create a servant to do their bidding. Most famous was from 16th century Prague, created from river clay and wood to protect the poor of the Jewish sector. The golem could be controlled by verbal or written commands placed in his mouth. The golem went out of control when his position went to his head and had to be destroyed.

Mechanical Automata Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz -- swiss watch maker Jacques de Vaucanson -- french inventor Wolfgang von Kempelen -- Austro- Hugarian civil servant to the court of empress Maria Theresa

Jaquet-Droz’s Creations Created the writer, the draftsman, a harpsichord player. Used “cams” that could be interchanged to determine functionality Cams could be removed, thus was reprogrammable.

The Writer

The Musician

The Singing Birds

Vaucanson Built the most intricate automaton Tried to imitate biology Was hired in 1741 to modernize the french weaving industry, workers rioted at the though of becoming “human parts in a huge automaton”.

Android Clarinetist 1838, Cornelis Jacobus van Oeckelen (insired by Vaucanson’s flute player)

The Duck could flap its wings, eat, and digest grain. Each wing had about 400 moving parts. The Duck (1738)

The Duck

Duck Reproduction

Duck Reproduction

The Turk Had critical aclaim and was seen by many import people, including Napoleon, Babbage, and Poe. It was a fake, and was outed by Poe. Possibly inspired Babbage to design the Difference Engine.

The Turk

Gray Walter’s Electric Turtles (1950-51)

Braitenburg Vehicles (1987) Ill John Wiseman

This run has three vehicles, each of a different type, and two lamps This run has three vehicles, each of a different type, and two lamps. Green is the obsessive one. Blue has more self-control and more intelligence. She likes to find a cozy spot near a lamp and settle down, but she will flee if a predator comes too close. Red is the predator; Light doesn't interest her, only the movement of possible prey.

This run has two of the simple light-seeking vehicles that made their debut in the previous simulation. It also includes three lamps. What makes things interesting here is that the lamps have some awareness of their surroundings: when they detect nearby movement, they dim themselves.

Cellular Automata CA expands the idea of a single automaton to a community of interacting automata.

Langton’s ALife Colony

Langton’s ALife Colony

Separation Alignment Cohesion Craig Reynold’s Boids

Mathematical Automaton A formalize theory for describing ordered machines processes that may or may not have input and output. Typically represented as a directed graph.

Stop Light Automata

BEAM Robotics -- Mark Tilden (early 1990’s) Biology Electronics Aesthetics Mechanics

Alife