Biomimetics and Robotics for Space Applications: Challenges and Emerging Technologies

Abstract

This paper presents novel emerging robotic technologies for space applications conceived by reverse engineering ideas from nature. Although plant and animal species have evolved in the terrestrial environment, we believe that there is compelling potential for taking inspiration from nature to conceive novel, high-performance robotic systems for space use. This paper highlights the advantages that a biomimetic approach could lead and presents concept designs of innovative bio-inspired mechatronic systems investigated in recent years by the authors.