““Sniffer” Robots: Artificial Sniffer” Robots: Artificial NosesNoses

Brandon YarboroughBrandon Yarborough

Components of an Artificial NoseComponents of an Artificial Nose

Chemical sensing system (e.g., sensory Chemical sensing system (e.g., sensory array or spectrometer)array or spectrometer) Each chemical vapor presented to the sensor Each chemical vapor presented to the sensor

array produces a pattern characteristic array produces a pattern characteristic (signature) of the vapor.(signature) of the vapor.

A database of signatures is built up by A database of signatures is built up by presenting many different chemicals to the presenting many different chemicals to the sensor array.sensor array.

The database of labeled signatures is used to The database of labeled signatures is used to train the pattern recognition system.train the pattern recognition system.

Components of an Artificial Nose Components of an Artificial Nose (cont.)(cont.)

Pattern recognition system (e.g., artificial Pattern recognition system (e.g., artificial neural network)neural network) Used to analyze complex data and to Used to analyze complex data and to

recognize patternsrecognize patterns Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are

collections of mathematical models that collections of mathematical models that attempt to emulate some of the properties of attempt to emulate some of the properties of biological nervous systems.biological nervous systems.

General Structure of an Artificial General Structure of an Artificial NoseNose

Possible Applications for “Sniffer” Possible Applications for “Sniffer” RobotsRobots

Detecting drugs and other materials in Detecting drugs and other materials in airportsairportsLocating victims of avalanches and Locating victims of avalanches and earthquakesearthquakesMine/bomb detectionMine/bomb detectionDetection of chemical leaksDetection of chemical leaksTracking escaped prisonersTracking escaped prisoners

RAT: The Reactive Autonomous RAT: The Reactive Autonomous Testbed Testbed

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

Pictures of RATPictures of RAT

Videos of RAT in actionVideos of RAT in action

http://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/Trahttp://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/Trail%20%231.movil%20%231.mov

http://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/Pluhttp://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/Plume%20%231.movme%20%231.mov

SourcesSources

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn11023-snifferbot-algorithm-helps-robots-dn11023-snifferbot-algorithm-helps-robots-seek-scents.htmlseek-scents.htmlhttp://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/http://www.ecse.monash.edu.au/staff/rar/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/10/1062902115129.html?2003/09/10/1062902115129.html?from=storyrhsfrom=storyrhs