Animal Inspired Technology Creates New Form of Robots
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Many birds spend most of their energy in flight, though they are able to walk when speed is not as critical, but other birds, like the ostrich, excel at running. Birds’ knees are opposite those of humans and more like those of animals that walk on all fours. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Germany have studied bird joint designs over millions of years of evolution. With tendons stimulated by cables and pulleys, their smart joint system contributes to dramatic resource savings, as BirdBot requires only two motors (while robots have required each joint to have a motor).
As robotics advances, the way in which we use robotics will change. According to screenrant.com, to increase the efficiency of robotic systems in the future, it is essential to design more efficient and resource-efficient walking mechanisms. Different conditions may make charging impossible, and high energy capacities contribute to weight. Therefore, the BirdBot is designed so that its legs don’t consume energy while it’s standing (relaxing), in addition to the knee motor that helps to save additional energy while the BirdBot is moving.
After millions of years of natural selection, the BirdBot utilizes nature-inspired solutions, which are also showing success in the laboratory. It is possible that such developments may result in reducing the costs of manufacturing and developing robots in the future, as well as leading to further development of two-legged robots.
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