Seahorse Tail Inspires Scientists to Create Next Generation Robots

The seahorse's unusual skeletal structure has attracted the attention of robot researchers, who say that the sea creature may provide them with some tips on how to design hardy and yet flexible machines.

"Human engineers tend to build things that are stiff so they can be controlled easily. But nature makes things just strong enough not to break, and then flexible enough to do a wide range of tasks. That's why we can learn a lot from animals that will inspire the next generations of robotics," assistant professor at the College of Engineering at Oregon State University Ross L. Hatton stressed, as cited by Sputnik.

The structure of the seahorse's tail is unique: due to its square bony plates, it can bend and twist and then rapidly return to its initial shape. Furthermore, the feature provides the animal with excellent crushing resistance that makes it a tough nut to crack for undersea predators.

According to the scientist, the structure of the tail provides the seahorse with "adequate dexterity and a tough resistance to predators, but it also tends to snap naturally back into place once it's been twisted and deformed."

"This could be very useful for robotics applications that need to be strong, but also energy-efficient and able to bend and twist in tight spaces," Ross Hatton stressed.