Empa researchers draw inspiration for robotics from the animal kingdom

(CONNECT) Researchers from the Dübendorf-based Soft Kinetic group at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology(Empa) and the German Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems are investigating the movement characteristics of African thorn-tailed squirrels. The aim is to determine the jumping, flying and braking behavior of this species of flying squirrel. The findings from this research will be incorporated into the design and construction of motion robots and drones, according to a press release.

The name of the thorn-tailed squirrel is derived from the scales that grow on the underside of its tail. Initial findings have shown that the animals use this special anatomy to control flight movements and braking processes, especially in dense treetops.

For their study, the group led by Ardian Jusufi measured and 3D-scanned specimens of the rare squirrel species from natural history collections. Using mathematical models, they were able to develop an idea of how the animals stabilize themselves on smooth tree bark.

In a next step, Jusufi wants to study the thorn-tailed squirrels in their living environment. "If the squirrel glides towards a tree but unexpectedly notices a predator there, it has to dodge to another tree in flight," research leader Jusufi is quoted as saying in the press release. "We suspect that the spiny tail helps to cushion the energy of such an emergency landing and protect the squirrel from falling."

The precise understanding of the physics of animals is to be incorporated into robotics. Small mobile robots and drones that can move safely and efficiently are in demand in agriculture, environmental monitoring and disaster control. These processes are to be studied using animated body models and the findings transferred to drone construction. The study has been published in the "Journal of the Royal Society Interface". ce/ww