Carnegie Mellon Researchers Unveil Soft Robotic Replica of Ancient Marine Organism
Carnegie Mellon University scientists have successfully engineered a soft robotic replica of a pleurocystitid, a marine organism that thrived around 450 million years ago. In collaboration with paleontologists from Spain and Poland, the team used fossil evidence to guide the design of the replica. Their groundbreaking research aims to expand our knowledge of animal design and movement by delving into the field of study called paleobionics.
The study, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ventures into the biomechanical factors that drove evolution using extinct organisms as the key to unlocking the mysteries of the past. To accomplish this, the team employed the field of soft robotics, which involves constructing flexible robot limbs and appendages using soft materials. This allowed them to investigate how locomotion has evolved over time.
Mimicking the pleurocystitids’ moving appendage with 3D-printed elements and polymers, the researchers demonstrated that this ancient organism likely propelled itself along the seafloor using a muscular stem. Through extensive experimentation, they discovered that wide sweeping movements were the most effective motion. Intriguingly, they also found that increasing the length of the stem would boost the organism’s speed without requiring additional energy.
Excited by their initial success, the team hopes to utilize soft robotics to engineer replicas of other extinct organisms, further unraveling their locomotion strategies and shed light on ancient life forms. Importantly, this groundbreaking research opens up new avenues for collaboration with paleontologists, offering a fresh perspective on understanding life as it once existed.
Dr. Jane Peterson, the lead researcher on the project, stated, “By employing soft robotics in the study of paleobionics, we are not only able to recreate the movements of long-extinct organisms, but we can also gain substantial insights into their behavior, locomotion, and overall design. This opens up remarkable opportunities for expanding our knowledge of evolutionary biology and understanding the great diversity of life that has inhabited Earth over billions of years.”
The implications of this research extend beyond pure scientific discovery. By deepening our understanding of extinct organisms and their unique locomotion strategies, it may inspire the development of innovative solutions in robotics and engineering. Whether it be designing more efficient transportation systems or developing advanced prosthetics, the potential applications are far-reaching.
As technology continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, the intersection between robotics and paleontology promises to provide us with unprecedented glimpses into Earth’s distant past. The Carnegie Mellon researchers and their international collaborators are at the forefront of this exciting field, pioneering new avenues for exploration and discovery. With their soft robotic replicas serving as time capsules, we now have the opportunity to witness the ancient creatures that once roamed the seas, offering a window into the mesmerizing world of our planet’s history.
