By looking at photographs of octopuses from different species, the researchers determined what degrees of tapering were reasonable for their robot.
Real octopuses, however, have tapered arms that are thicker where they meet the body than they are at the end. The team noted that many octopus-inspired robots often have arms that are shaped like perfect cylinders. Octopuses are popular inspirations for robots, because their strong flexible tentacles, equipped with rows of suction-providing suckers, can maneuver in small and complicated spaces and tightly grip objects of different shapes and sizes. Unlike robots made entirely of hard metal, soft robots are made of more pliable materials that provide resiliency and flexibility. Scientists at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recently reported the study of a soft octopus-like robot.
