The development of snail-inspired robotic systems has seen significant advancements, drawing from the unique locomotion and functional capabilities of snails.

These robots are being designed for a variety of applications, from environmental conservation to medical uses, showcasing the potential of bio-inspired engineering.

Ocean Microplastics Collection

A notable application of snail-inspired robotics is in the collection of ocean microplastics. Researchers have developed a prototype robot inspired by the Hawaiian apple snail, which uses the undulating motion of its foot to drive water surface flow and suck in floating food particles.

This mechanism is adapted to collect microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas, and lakes, addressing the challenge of removing these tiny particles that traditional drag nets or conveyor belts fail to capture. The robot operates efficiently on just 5 volts of electricity and may require a flotation device to prevent sinking due to the weight of its battery and motor.

Soft Robotics and Medical Applications

In the field of soft robotics, engineers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a soft material with metal-like conductivity and self-healing properties. This material is used in a snail-inspired robot that can maintain a high enough electrical conductivity to support power-hungry devices, such as motors. The robot's self-healing conductive material allows it to recover a significant portion of its original speed after being manually reconnected following damage. This breakthrough in softbotics opens up possibilities for integrating robotics into everyday life, including medical applications like bioelectrodes for muscle activity measurement and potentially soft-bodied robots for internal medical procedures.

Climbing and Adhesive Movement

Another aspect of snail-inspired robotics focuses on the ability to climb surfaces and navigate challenging environments.

A robot developed by a joint research team at the University of Warsaw and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University mimics the adhesive locomotion of snails, using a thin layer of artificial mucus to move across various surfaces, including glass and metal. This robot, powered by light and capable of climbing vertical walls, demonstrates the potential for future applications in surveillance, environmental monitoring, and even unconventional adhesive technologies.

Future Directions

The development of snail-inspired robots is not limited to these applications. Researchers are exploring the potential of these robots for environmental monitoring, such as water quality assessment, and for navigating hard-to-reach places within human habitats. The integration of soft robotics, bio-inspired design principles, and novel materials like self-healing conductive gels points towards a future where robots can seamlessly assist in environmental conservation, healthcare, and beyond.

In summary, snail-inspired robotic systems exemplify the innovative application of bio-inspired design principles in addressing environmental challenges and advancing medical technologies. Through the emulation of snail locomotion and functional capabilities, these robots offer promising solutions for microplastics collection, soft robotics, and versatile movement across challenging terrains.

ADVANTAGES OF USING SNAIL-INSPIRED ROBOTS OVER OTHER TYPES OF ROBOTS

Snail-inspired robots offer unique advantages over other types of robots, making them particularly promising for various applications:

1. Versatile Locomotion: Snail-inspired robots, like the RoboSnail, can climb walls, stick to ceilings, and move on various surfaces due to their adhesive locomotion mechanism, mimicking the versatility of snails in navigating different terrains.

2. Self-Repairing Materials: These robots utilize self-healing materials like a conductive gel that can reconnect severed ends, allowing them to recover functionality after damage, enhancing their durability and longevity.

3. Sustainability: The gel used in snail-inspired robots can be reused multiple times, making it a sustainable option for various devices and applications, including environmental monitoring and potentially prosthetic devices.

4. Soft Robotics: Snail-inspired robots are part of the field of soft robotics, which utilizes soft, self-repairing materials suitable for measuring devices and prostheses, offering advantages in terms of comfort and adaptability for medical and wearable technologies.

5. Bio-Inspired Design: By drawing inspiration from nature, snail-inspired robots can achieve unique functionalities that may not be easily replicated by traditional robots, allowing for innovative solutions in areas like environmental conservation and healthcare.

In summary, the advantages of using snail-inspired robots lie in their versatile locomotion, self-repairing capabilities, sustainability, soft robotics design, and the innovative potential of bio-inspired engineering principles.