Necrobotics: Scientists Reanimate Spiders for Robotic Grippers
- tech360.tv
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Mechanical engineering PhD student Faye Yap and Daniel Preston at Rice University have coined the term "necrobotics" for their technique, which utilises reanimated spider corpses to create robotic grippers. This innovative technique, pioneered by mechanical engineering PhD student Faye Yap and Daniel Preston, aims to provide a cheap, green, and readily available material for soft robotics.
The research stemmed from Yap observing dead spiders with curled legs in the laboratory. Her investigation revealed that spiders lack antagonistic muscle pairs, relying instead on hydraulic pressure to extend their legs and flexor muscles to curl them inward.
This biological mechanism inspired the researchers to explore using a spider corpse as a pneumatic gripper. When a spider dies, its flexor muscles tense up, causing its legs to curl inward, and it loses control over the internal valves that regulate hydraulic pressure, preventing extension.
Yap hypothesised that injecting compressed air into the dead spider's hemolymph, a fluid analogous to blood, could re-impose control over its leg movements. The pressurised hemolymph then extends the spider's joints, enabling a claw-like grabbing motion.
The experiment was successful, according to Yap. These "necrobots" demonstrated the ability to pick up delicate materials, including fine wires and other spiders, even those up to 130% more massive than the reanimated gripper.
Preston noted this marks the first instance a complete animal has been repurposed as a robot. He highlighted that spiders offer a convenient and abundant source material, eliminating the need to construct pneumatically actuated grippers from scratch.
Spider corpses are also biodegradable, offering an environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional robot parts, which often contribute to electronic waste. The researchers are already seeing others, including a father and son from Australia, successfully replicate the technique.
Scientists at Rice University have developed "necrobotics," using dead spiders as robotic grippers.
The technique involves injecting compressed air into a spider's hemolymph to re-extend its legs.
These "necrobots" can pick up delicate objects, including items 130% heavier than themselves.
Source: NPR
