B.E.A.M. is an acronym for: Biology Electronics Aesthetics Mechanics.

Biology: Many aspects of the design and function of BEAM robots parallel nature.
Electronics: Simple control circuitry which allows for emergent behaviour.
Aesthetics: Make it pretty and it will work better.
Mechanics: The mechanics of the BEAM robot's body are just as important as the electronics in it's brain.

Mark Tilden
BEAM robotics is a new field of robotics and was invented by Mark Tilden in 1989.

He believes that simple electronics, combined with robust mechanics (and quite often solar power) produce very capable robots. The science behind the idea stems from current concepts in artificial intelligence (AI), artificial life (ALife), evolutionary biology, and genetic algorithms. It uses minimalist electronics to create elegant mechanical creatures that parallel their natural counterparts in many ways. The simplicity of BEAM construction allows people from all walks of life and levels of education to create very capable autonomous robots without learning to program or a government research grant. If you have the mechanical skill to straighten out a paperclip until it can roll down an incline plane you can build a beambot. The potential for progressive learning makes BEAM an excellent hobby for young children who can learn basic construction techniques and mechanics, with parental aid of course, and move up to the electronics portion when they are ready.

BEAM devices come in infinite shapes and sizes. Some have wheels, some have legs, some even have wings and there are some which use completely different modes of transportation. The brains used to control BEAM "lifeforms" are very simple compared to the rats-nets of wiring and circuitry in conventional robots. These brains, also called nervous networks, contain no microprocessors with many BEAM critters having less transistors than a common radio. By wiring in basic sensors to influence the nervous network, we can control how the robot behaves much like putting blinkers on a race horse to make it run straight. These sensors include light detectors, touch feelers, heat sensors and just about anything you can think of. Your imagination is the limit.

BEAM is a Trademark of Mark Tilden.
All BEAM technology is Patented by Mark Tilden.

In the summer of 2004, the incredible interactive, articulate and fully programmable Robosapien was launched worldwide!

Its creator, the US robotics physicist and BEAM expert, Dr. Mark W. Tilden, who developed applied biomorphic robotics, has worked for NASA, DARPA, JPL at Los Alamos and other government research agencies developing advanced robotic technologies.

Robosapien™ is the first robot based on the science of applied biomorphic robotics, which enables him to act more like a human.

Robosapien™ is a realistic, recreational robot who is easily programmed and mastered with a remote control. At 14 inches high, Robosapien™ is the first affordable intelligent entertainment humanoid!