The graceful and agile movements of animals are difficult to analyze and emulate because
locomotion is the result of a complex interplay of many components: the central and …

This review focuses on how the modeling of dense granular media has advanced over the
last 15 years. The jumping-off point of our review is the μ (I) rheology for dry granular flow …

The theories of aero-and hydrodynamics predict animal movement and device design in air
and water through the computation of lift, drag, and thrust forces. Although models of …

Traditional hard robots often require complex motion‐control systems to accomplish various
tasks, while applications of soft‐bodied robots are limited by their low load‐carrying …

Jointed exoskeletons permit rapid appendage-driven locomotion but retain the soft-bodied,
shape-changing ability to explore confined environments. We challenged cockroaches with …

For centuries, designers and engineers have looked to biology for inspiration. Biologically
inspired robots are just one example of the application of knowledge of the natural world to …

Efficient and effective generation of high-acceleration movement in biology requires a
process to control energy flow and amplify mechanical power from power density–limited …

Characterizing forces on deformable objects intruding into sand and soil requires
understanding the solid-and fluid-like responses of such substrates and their effect on the …

Effective locomotion in nature happens by transitioning across multiple modes (eg, walk,
run, climb). Despite this, far more mechanistic understanding of terrestrial locomotion has …

Natural substrates like sand, soil, leaf litter and snow vary widely in penetration resistance.
To search for principles of appendage design in robots and animals that permit high …