Is biorobotics science? Some theoretical reflections

Bio-inspired design of hard-bodied mobile robots based on arthropod morphologies: a 10 year systematic review and bibliometric analysis

This research presents a 10-year systematic review based on bibliometric analysis of the bio-inspired design of hard-bodied mobile robot mechatronic systems considering the anatomy of arthropods. These are the most diverse group of animals whose flexible biomechanics and adaptable morphology, thus, it can inspire robot development. Papers were reviewed from two international databases (Scopus and Web of Science) and one platform (Aerospace Research Central), then they were classified according to: Year of publication (January 2013 to April 2023), arthropod group, published journal, conference proceedings, editorial publisher, research teams, robot classification according to the name of arthropod, limb's locomotion support, number of legs/arms, number of legs/body segments, limb's degrees of freedom, mechanical actuation type, modular system, and environment adaptation. During the screening, more than 33 000 works were analyzed. Finally, a total of 174 studies (90 journal-type, 84 conference-type) were selected for in-depth study: Insecta-hexapods (53.8%), Arachnida-octopods (20.7%), Crustacea-decapods (16.1%), and Myriapoda-centipedes and millipedes (9.2%). The study reveals that the most active editorials are the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., Springer, MDPI, and Elsevier, while the most influential researchers are located in the USA, China, Singapore, and Japan. Most works pertained to spiders, crabs, caterpillars, cockroaches, and centipedes. We conclude that 'arthrobotics' research, which merges arthropods and robotics, is constantly growing and includes a high number of relevant studies with findings that can inspire new methods to design biomechatronic systems.

Animal-robot interaction-an emerging field at the intersection of biology and robotics

The field of animal-robot and organism-robot interaction systems (ARIS, ORIS) is a currently rapidly emerging field in biorobotics. In this special issue we aim for providing a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge advancements and pioneering breakthroughs within this scientific and engineering discipline. Therefore, we collected scientific articles that delineate and expound upon the complexity of these remarkable biohybrid systems. These configurations stand as engineered conduits, facilitating the accurate investigation and profound exploration of the multifaceted interactions between robotic devices and biological entities, including various fish species, honeybees and plants. Also the human factor plays a role in this collection, as we also include a philosophical perspective on such systems as well as an augmented reality setup that brings humans into the loop with living fish. Within our editorial purview, we categorize the scientific contributions based on their focal points, differentiating between examinations of singular agent-to-agent interactions, extensions to the social stratum, and further expansions to the intricate levels of swarm dynamics, colonies, populations, and ecosystems. Considering potential applications, we delve into the multifaceted domains wherein these biohybrid systems might be applied. This discourse culminates in a tentative glimpse into the future trajectories these technologies might traverse, elucidating their promising prospects for both scientific advancement and societal enrichment. In sum, this special issue aims at facilitating the convergence of diverse insights, at encapsulating the richness of the ARIS and ORIS domain, and at charting a course toward the untapped prospects lying at the nexus of biology and robotics.

From biomimicry to robotic co-creation: rethinking the boundaries between nature and technology

This paper is an invitation to an interdisciplinary dialogue on new possibilities for integrating robotics, design, and nature. I ask: how can new cross-movements between bio-inspired science and design be fostered? How might we envision the future possible intersection between technology and nature? First, I recall key aspects of classical bioinspired engineering and highlight the role of nature in the emergence of technology. Second, I introduce a new approach to bioinspired engineering. In this approach, robots play an active role in design and construction, learning from material properties to form new shapes and thus reshaping design paradigms. The distinctive elements of this approach depart from classical nature-inspired engineering and foster a symbiotic relationship between technology and nature. I conclude by reflecting on the intersections of nature, technology, and design, and envisioning new avenues for interdisciplinary dialogue that foster collaboration and innovation among diverse bio-inspired disciplines.

Ethorobotic rats for rodent behavioral research: design considerations

The development of robots as tools for biological research, sometimes termed "biorobotics", has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by the proliferation of miniaturized computation and advanced manufacturing techniques. Much of this work is focused on the use of robots as biomechanical models for natural systems. But, increasingly, biomimetic robots are being employed to interact directly with animals, as component parts of ethology studies in the field and behavioral neuroscience studies in the laboratory. While it has been possible to mechanize and automate animal behavior experiments for decades, only recently has there been the prospect of creating at-scale robotic animals containing the sensing, autonomy and actuation necessary for complex, life-like interaction. This not only opens up new avenues of enquiry, but also provides important ways to improve animal welfare, both by reducing or replacing the use of animal subjects, and by minimizing animal distress (if robots are used judiciously). This article will discuss the current state of the art in robotic lab rats, providing perspective on where research could be directed to enable the safe and effective use of biorobotic animals.

The elephant in the room: The biomimetic principle in bio-robotics and embodied AI

In recent years, bio-inspired robots have shaped numerous domains of technical and scientific production. Bio-inspired robots can now be found in all areas of industry, medicine, architecture, and even culture. Despite the wealth of historiographic and philosophical studies published on this topic, a philosophical investigation of the mimetic principle used in bio-robotics is still missing. In this paper, I will ask a simple question: what is the role of biomimetic and bio-inspired processes in the different practices of bio-robotics? In the following pages, I will first make some conceptual order. I discuss the differences between several bio-inspired disciplines to clearly identify the biomimetic principle. Second, I introduce the discussion on the necessity of imitating nature in early twentieth-century bio-robotics. Third, I state the broader philosophical issue at stake in the debate on the biomimetic principle: the model-world relation, as discussed in the philosophical literature on models and idealization. In section 4, I address several emblematic case studies in which the imitation of nature, variously declined, is fundamental for producing knowledge, thus providing cursory taxonomy of the biomimetic principle. In the conclusion, I will come back to the elephant in the room and suggest how to tackle it further in a fruitful manner. As a broader result, my proposed taxonomy might be used by historians of science and technology as a starting point for historicizing the different practices of current bio-robotics as well as by philosophers to further problematize the various philosophical frameworks that have been accepted and developed in bio-robotics.