Global InformationRobosquirrel information
Robosquirrel refers to several versions of robotic squirrels developed by researchers at the University of California, Davis and San Diego State University. Robosquirrel is currently in use and development in an interdisciplinary research project that uses biorobotics to investigate how communication between prey (e.g., squirrels) and predators (e.g., rattlesnakes) evolve in response to each other.[1] It has received extensive science[2][3][4][5] and popular media coverage.[6][7][8] It stirred controversy when Senator Tom Coburn listed it in his Wastebook 2012 as a scientific research project that wastes United States federal tax dollars.[9] Senator Coburn's release of Wastebook 2012 was quickly picked up by the popular media and the robosquirrel project was the headline of many media stories.[10][11][12]
The robosquirrel research project, in which robosquirrel is used and developed, has four aims: (1) to establish collaborations between ecologists and engineers to develop next generation robotic technology for studying predator-prey communication behavior, (2) to increase minority participation in science, (3) to develop public outreach, and (4) to support undergraduate and graduate education in biology and engineering. Currently, three versions of robosquirrel have been developed.[13] It is currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)[14] based on peer review and by meeting criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts required by NSF.[15]
The controversy focuses on the amount of money spent ($325,000) on robosquirrel.[9] The researchers have responded that robosquirrel only cost a few hundred dollars[16] and that approximately 70% of the funds are currently spent on training future biologists and engineers.[17]
- ^ Whiteman, Lily (17 December 2012). "Snake Tales: Scientists use high-tech methods to interpret tail signals from squirrel prey to rattlesnake predators". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Storr, Krystnell A. "Tail Shakes Scare Snakes". Science Now. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Fudge, Tom (3 July 2012). "'Robosquirrel' Helps Tell An Epic Story Of Evolution". KPBS Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Boyle, Rebecca (15 March 2012). "Video: Robot Squirrel Confuses a Snake". Popular Science. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Ackerman, Evan (March 14, 2012). "Breaking News: Rattlesnakes Don't Like RoboSquirrels". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Knight, Matthew (April 4, 2012). "'Robosquirrel' deployed to research relationship with rattlesnakes". CNN. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Netburn, Deborah (April 5, 2012). "Robosquirrel takes on rattlesnake and wins". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ Letzing, John (December 18, 2012). "What Does It Take to Fool a Snake? Send in the Robot: Biologists Use Mechanical Squirrels, Frogs to Study Wildlife; 'Snooki' the Bird". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ a b Coburn, Tom (2012). Wastebook 2012. Washington D.C.: Tom Coburn. p. 200. Archived from the original on 2013-02-14.
- ^ Barrett, Ted (October 16, 2012). "Report on government waste cites 'robosquirrels,' tax breaks for NFL". CNN. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Dolak, Kevin (October 17, 2012). "Taxpayer-Funded 'Robo-squirrel' Makes Senator's 2012 'Wastebook'". ABC News. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Coburn's 'Waste Book' details $19 billion in eye-opening government expenses". Fox News. October 16, 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Joshi, S.; R. Johnson; A. Rundus; R.W. Clark; M. Barbour; D.H. Owings (2011). "Robotic squirrel models for the study of squirrel-rattlesnake interaction in laboratory and natural settings". IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine. 18 (4): 59–68. doi:10.1109/MRA.2011.942121. S2CID 9970419.
- ^ "RESUBMISSION Understanding predator-prey signaling interactions: the dynamics of antisnake displays in ground squirrels and kangaroo rats". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "Chapter III - NSF Proposal Processing and Review". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ Kreuger, Paul and Lauren Steussy (October 17, 2012). "Robo-Squirrel a Waste of Money: Senator". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- ^ "'Robosquirrel': Facts from Researchers". Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.