Growth and development
The concept of growth and development in living organisms is deeply intertwined with the principles of evolution and natural selection. Over millions of years, species have evolved through a process of genetic variation, selection, and inheritance, leading to the emergence of diverse forms and functions optimized for survival and reproduction: Survival of the fittest. Growth and development represent key mechanisms by which organisms manifest their genetic potential and adapt to changing ecological niches. In contrast, the development of robots and AI is driven by human ingenuity and technological innovation, guided by design objectives and functional requirements rather than the imperatives of natural selection.
MIT engineers have devised a groundbreaking solution to the challenges of navigating tight spaces in factories and warehouses: a plant-inspired robot. This innovative creation features a chain-like appendage, drawing inspiration from nature's efficient growth patterns. Similar to plants transporting nutrients to their tips, the robot's appendage extends and retracts, adapting to various tasks. Central to its design is a "growing point" gearbox that orchestrates the controlled extension and retraction of the chain, forming a rigid structure capable of supporting heavy loads or applying torque for assembly tasks. Presented at the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, this robot promises to revolutionize industries by navigating complex environments with ease. With sensors and grippers mounted on its gearbox, it can execute intricate tasks in confined spaces, heralding a new era of flexibility and efficiency in robotics.
https://news.mit.edu/2019/robot-grow-like-plant-1107
In the realm of artificial creatures, we encounter a different manifestation of growth and development embodied by self-learning algorithms. Take, for instance, AlphaGo, the AI program developed by DeepMind. Through millions of simulated games and encounters with human opponents, AlphaGo evolves its strategies, continually pushing the boundaries of its capabilities. Its journey parallels that of the caterpillar, albeit in the realm of algorithms and computations. But what if we imagine a creature that bridges the gap between the natural and the artificial, a being that embodies the essence of growth and development in a truly unique form?