If you put 45 different animals in the same cage, you might expect the larger critters to attack the smaller ones.
In that sense at least, the inhabitants of a new zoo in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, are no exception. However, the Robotarium X is the first zoo dedicated to artificial life. Inside, legged, wheeled and slithering autonomous robots crawl around a 4-metre-high cage made of steel and glass.
Nine larger robots interact with visitors by following their movements, making defensive actions or opening their “petals” in response to crowds. The more aggressive robots cut the tails off their…
