Robots in a Half-Shell

Biomimicry in robotics is an intriguing field that takes inspiration from nature's designs and mechanisms to create innovative and efficient robotic systems. It entails studying biological systems, their behaviors, structures, and functionalities, and then replicating these principles in the design, development, and operation of robots. By carefully observing and understanding how complex problems have been solved in nature, researchers aim to replicate these solutions in robotics to achieve similar levels of efficiency, adaptability, and functionality.

Biomimetics has helped to solve a variety of complex problems that traditional engineering methods would have struggled with. Nature's designs and solutions have inspired innovative approaches that have led to breakthroughs in various fields of robotics. For example, the locomotion of animals like snakes and insects has influenced the development of agile robots that can navigate difficult terrain, such as disaster-stricken areas or rough landscapes. Moreover, underwater exploration has been revolutionized by studying the propulsion mechanisms of marine creatures, resulting in the creation of biomimetic underwater vehicles that can efficiently navigate and explore aquatic environments.

So when a team of engineers at the University of Notre Dame was looking for a solution to increase populations of sea turtles, they turned to biomimicry. Nearly all species of sea turtles are classified as endangered today, and that might not come as much of a surprise when you realize that only one in a thousand hatchlings survive to adulthood. A large number of those turtles are killed on their perilous first trip to the ocean, just after hatching. Unfortunately, debris and beach developments make this trip increasingly challenging.

The researchers’ plan was to build a robotic sea turtle to show hatchlings a safe path to the ocean that is free of obstructions that might otherwise hold them up while predatory birds pick them off. Towards this end, the team studied how sea turtles move and adapt to various types of terrain. In the course of this research, they gave special attention to the morphology and mechanics of sea turtle flippers, and the varied gait that helps to make them so adaptable. And by studying multiple species of turtles, they were able to choose the most effective aspects of each.

This led to the construction of a robot that mimics the unique body shape of a sea turtle hatchling. With the help of four radio-controlled flippers and an onboard control unit, the robot mimics a real sea turtle’s means of propulsion. The front flippers drive the robot forward, while the rear flippers are used to adjust the direction of travel.

The body of the robot was 3D-printed with a rigid polymer, while the flippers were molded from silicone to give them just the right amount of flexibility. A suite of sensors keep the imitation turtle on the right path as it navigates through the sand. The entire system is battery powered, wireless, and fully self-contained, making it practical for real-world deployments.

At present, the robot is still being tested around the campus of the University of Notre Dame, which is quite a long way away from any real sea turtles. But the hope is that with a bit of refinement based on the lessons learned from these early trials, robots of this sort will one day be deployed to beaches where they can lend a helping flipper to hatchlings in need. And the advancements made by this team could have a broader impact in the field of robotics, potentially leading to new optimizations applicable to a wide range of use cases.