The fifth experiment involves a wheeled mobile robot with an array of ultrasonic range finders for studies of adaptive navigation and map building. Finally, the six experiment involves using neural network learning in the myoelectric control path of a Liberty Technology Boston Elbow. These systems support real time control experiments, simulation studies, general purpose graphics and document preparation. Nearly everyone has experienced the annoyance of a long drive with an unbalanced tire, or the whir of a noisy hard drive, or seen the blur in a picture taken from a camera that moved as the shutter closed. The Hubbell telescope cannot function if the supporting platform in space is moving.
Factory workers are less efficient if they feel machinery vibrations for long periods of time.
All of these are examples of unwanted vibrations. Control of these unwanted vibrations is a very important problem. Most vibration control systems are passive. The rubber in your car engine mounts or in air conditioning ducts are examples. These are called vibration absorbers and by far most vibration reduction systems use these passive elements.