These Eight Technologies are Inspired by a Sea Animal

Who would have thought a marine animal could inspire innovation in future technological developments.

"Octopus is an interesting, very special animal, with its muscular structure that works like a modified framework," says Cecilia Laschi, professor of biorobotics at Sant 'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.

This gentle animal has some interesting features like camouflage, well-developed eyesight, muscular arms, and sensory suction cup on each strand of tentacles, and this is what inspired the researchers to create some of these technologies

1. Material camouflage

Lead research team Cunjiang Yu, assistant professor of engineering at the University of Houston, and John Rogers, professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, have developed their version of camouflage techniques. The camouflage system contains a layer of dye and a heat sensitive sensor. Because the team is funded by the office of Naval Research to understand science in the ability to change the color of man-made systems.

1. Sucking cup

This innovation will be very useful for robots to be able to grab something, especially areas after natural disasters that are too dangerous for humans. The vacuum cup is a reflection of the octopus tentacles, and once tested, the result is that the object can hold a wine bottle.

1. Robot that can change color

Two years ago the robot was created by Harvard University researchers led by George Whitesides. This four-legged robot has a separate layer from a small duct where liquid dyes are pumped in and out. All the colors that are accommodated can be mixed in accordance with the environment of the robot's existence.

1. Swim

Last year an experiment on an eighth-handed robot prototype under the sea was carried out by researchers from the Foundation for Research and Technology in Greece. In addition to looking like an octopus, this machine can imitate the movement of octopus. The purpose of this robot project is to find out new types of propulsion to make it easier and more efficient for robots to transport heavy loads underwater.

1. Soft sensing

Silicone arms loaded with sensors that can detect the position of the arm when rotating so that the researchers are able to track and analyze the dynamics that occur. Non-rigid materials tend to be difficult to control, so researchers hope that from their research their calculations can lead to other smarter, smoother robots.

1. A wearable robotic arm

Providing more hands to someone may help the person avoid danger, especially those who often do heavy work. Prototype supernumery robotic limbs or SLR worn on the shoulders or waist, then the arm of this robot can move like a real human arm.

1. Sea operations

PoseiDRONE is a European development robot that is principled with new design and new technology for the next generation of soft robots, based on the behavior and characteristics of octopus. Cecilia Laschi and her colleagues are building a new 90% soft material robot that can survive in risky conditions.

1. Gentle endoscopy

The next octopus-inspired robot project is STIFF-FLOP that focuses on cognitive systems and robots for surgical operations. So far, the robot design is shaped elephant trunk and tentacles of octopus. Laschi says his laboratory is often used to store octopuses to measure the length of his tentacles and research his endoscope, as well as doing other research.
(Monika Dhita Adiati, Sumber: Livescience)

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http://nationalgeographic.co.id/berita/2014/10/8-teknologi-ini-terinspirasi-dari-seekor-hewan-laut