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Bar-Cohen : Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies DK3163_c006 Final Proof page 198 21.9.2005 2:56am

198 Biomimetics: Biologically Inspired Technologies

Figure 6.17 (See color insert following page 302) Author’s latest robot EVA. Because SPEM silicone requires
little force to move, this robot’s 36 DOF run for hours on four AA batteries.

At some point if the trends continue to extremes, our biology may be difficult to distinguish from
our technology, and in many ways our human identity will be challenged. As the technology
advances, it will be worthwhile to ask questions regarding the ethical employment of the technol-
ogy. Will robots, like animals and humans, be afforded rights? What happens if they become
conscious? What happens if they get smarter than us? Accelerating progress in robotics clearly
implies that these questions are migrating out of speculative fiction and philosophy, and into reality,
faster than many may think.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author would like to especially acknowledge Yoseph Bar-Cohen for continued dedication,
support, and patience. He also would like to acknowledge the dedicated support of Victor White,
Thomas Linehan, Alice O’Toole of the University of Texas at Dallas; Kristen Nelson, Elaine
Hanson, and Dennis Kratz.

REFERENCES

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photoreceptor system in brittlestars. Nature, 412, 819–822, 2001.
Amon, C. H., Beuth, J.L., Merz, R., Prinz, F.B. and Weiss, L.E. Shape deposition manufacturing with
microcasting: processing, thermal and mechanical issues. Journal of Manufacturing Science and
Engineering, 1996.