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The idea of multiple robots displaying group behavior has been explored for many years. Group behavior in robots is a desired feature as, for the execution of a particular complex task, it allows for a reduction in the complexity of an individual robot while still exhibiting the same level of group intelligence, required for completing the task itself, e.g., in region exploration task in a search and rescue operation. Similarly, for inspecting rivets on an aircraft fuselage, the shape of the group must be maintained.

A portable continuous wave ultrasound system is being developed to observer venous and arterial blood flow. This ultrasound system contains an onboard direct digital synthesis (DDS) microcontroller to produces a frequency variable sinusoidal signal. A 5 MHz signal produce by the DDS is amplified, using high-speed op amps, to excite the piezoelectric ultrasound transducer (PZT).

Compression stockings are widely used to treat a number of vascular conditions ranging from tired, aching legs to lymphedema, ulcer and wound care, and prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Due to the large number of compression stockings available, differences in measurement techniques, etc., finding the ideal compression stocking for a given patient may prove difficult. Improperly fitted stockings can result in inefficient treatment if too loose, or necrosis and pressure damage if too tight.

Laser phonomicrosurgery is a demanding surgical technique requiring significant psychomotor skills. Scaleability, operative distance, and the anatomically small nature of the vocal folds all combine to create numerous surgical challenges. Currently the dominant user interface for remotely aiming a CO2 surgical laser is the manual micromanipulator. A micromanipulator is a electro-mechanical device that orientates an optical mirror system to control the aiming of the laser beam to ensure accurate localization on the tissue of interest.

This research deals with the developmental analysis of robot controllers that are created using evolutionary robotics (ER) methods. ER uses artificial evolution to automatically design and synthesize intelligent robot controllers. An aggregate fitness function that injects relatively little a priori task knowledge into the evolving controllers is used. The course of development of robot controllers evolving to perform a competitive goal-locating task is analyzed.