As robots move beyond relatively controlled environments and into the world at large, they increasingly can benefit by taking lessons from nature. This realization has lead to a proliferation of bioinspired and soft robots. The trend is supported by advances in our understanding of how biological systems work, at scales ranging from proteins to entire organisms. Among the recurring lessons are: how to manage the flow of energy, how to interact effectively with the environment, how to integrate passive mechanical properties and structures with sensing and control, and how to be robust—both physically and operationally—in the face of disturbances. Bioinspired robots have also promoted advances in fabrication and materials to create compliant, multi-material and multi-functional structures like those that organisms exploit. This chapter begins with the background and rationale behind bioinspired robotics and then considers specific topics in greater detail, drawing upon two case studies. The emphasis is on the design, construction, actuation and control of robots rather than robot swarms or bioinspired computation. The chapter also reviews trends in materials and fabrication that support bioinspired robotics. Each section concludes with design questions to provoke further thought and exploration. A final section introduces bioinspired design methods and exercises to help the reader explore opportunities in bioinspired robotics.
Bioinspired Robot Design
Robotics Goes MOOC ; Chapter : 6 ; 273-298
2025-02-05
26 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English