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Published on: March 8, 2019
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Mechanical computing
Hiromi Yasuda1, Philip R Buskohl2, Andrew Gillman2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Nature
|October 7, 2021
Summary
Researchers explore mechanical computing systems that blend materials science and robotics. These novel systems offer a new paradigm for information processing, potentially augmenting electronic computing by adapting to their environment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Computer Engineering
Background:
- Mechanical mechanisms have a long history of information processing, predating electronic computation.
- Electronic computing dominates due to miniaturization and integration advantages.
- Unconventional computing approaches merge information processing with materials science and robotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the use of mechanical mechanisms and nonlinearities for information processing.
- To propose a framework for adaptable materials and structures as distributed information processing networks.
- To explore viewing information processing as an inherent material property.
Main Methods:
- Focus on abstracting digital logic within mechanical systems.
- Analysis of how mechanical computing systems differ from traditional electronic computing.
- Identification of challenges and opportunities in mechanical computing.
Main Results:
- Mechanical systems can process information, leveraging nonlinearities.
- Adaptable materials can form distributed information processing networks.
- Information processing can be conceptualized as a material property.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical computing presents a viable alternative and augmentation to electronic computing.
- This approach opens new avenues for integrating computation into physical systems.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and realize the opportunities in mechanical computing.
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