Robot Design Goes Back to Nature

For millions of years, as animals have evolved to take myriad shapes and forms, they have adapted to solve a variety of physical challenges. Many have overcome obstacles that humans face as well. With the rise of new technologies to measure and analyze their movements, we can now see animals with more clarity and precision than ever before. The research is having a significant impact on robotics, materials science and a range of other fields. Jerry's fellow dogs and a number of other species have flexible spines supported by pliable back muscles and controlled by a network of neurons called the central pattern generator; this combination allows them to turn, twist, run, swim and recover from a trip or misstep without the lag time of waiting for commands from the brain.