Biomimetics : Discovery News

Sticky Feet Help Robots Land on Asteroids

Posted Mon May 21, 2012 12:32 PM ET | 0

Tiny steel hooks attached to a flexible suspension system could give probes better clinging power. Read more

Robo-Butt Is Cracked

Posted by Nic Halverson Thu May 10, 2012 02:43 PM ET | 0

A mechanical tush could bum you out or asstonish you. Read more

Flapping-Winged Robot Perches on Hand

Posted by Jesse Emspak Fri May 4, 2012 11:23 AM ET | 0

Engineers have build a robotic aircraft that can perch the same way birds do. Read more

Artificial 'Cuttlefish' Muscles Contract for Camouflage

Posted by Kate Prengaman Thu May 3, 2012 06:18 AM ET | 0

Materials inspired by color-changing animals could be used for camouflage or to balance temperatures. Read more

Robot Prostitutes, the Future of Sex Tourism

Posted by Nic Halverson Mon Apr 23, 2012 04:35 PM ET | 0

Researchers envision a red-light district run by sexy androids. Read more

Robot Prostitutes, the Future of Sex Tourism

Hey Green Thumbs: Grow Your Own Furniture

Posted by Nic Halverson Thu Apr 12, 2012 08:32 AM ET | 0

Artist's 'Chair Farm kit' lets Mother Nature take care of the work. All you need is just a little patience. Read more

Hey Green Thumbs: Grow Your Own Furniture

Lamprey Micro-Robot Could Detect Disease

Posted by Jesse Emspak Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:20 AM ET | 0

Mimicking a primitive fish may be one way to build tiny robots that swim inside human bodies. Read more

Lamprey Micro-Robot Could Detect Disease

Scientists Build Living Human Gut on a Chip

Posted by Jesse Emspak Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:01 AM ET | 0

To investigate intestinal disease, researchers built biological functions into a computer chip. Read more

Scientists Build Living Human Gut on a Chip

Robotic Cheetah Breaks Land Speed Record

Posted by Jesse Emspak Tue Mar 6, 2012 01:14 PM ET | 0

An eerie cheetah-inspired robot is nearly fast enough to chase down Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt. Read more

Robotic Cheetah Breaks Land Speed Record

Spider Silk Makes Plucky Violin Strings

Posted by Jesse Emspak Tue Mar 6, 2012 09:05 AM ET | 0

Violin strings made of spider silk are stronger than conventional strings made from aluminum and nylon. Read more

Robot Schools Fish

Posted by Jesse Emspak Tue Feb 28, 2012 11:22 AM ET | 0

A robotic fish can lead others into forming schools, suggesting one reason why fish stay together. Read more

Piranha-Proof Fish May Build Better Body Armor

Posted by Eric Niiler Wed Feb 15, 2012 07:00 AM ET | 0

Scientists hope to replicate the fish scales of a tough, ancient Amazonian fish that repels predators' bites. Read more

Butterfly Wings Inspire Better Temperature Sensors

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:02 PM ET | 0

A coating of carbon nanotubes simplifies the design of these otherwise complicated sensors. Read more

Quadcopter Swarms Dance in the Air

Posted by Jesse Emspak Thu Feb 2, 2012 02:53 PM ET | 0

A swarm of robots can act together, doing stunts, avoiding obstacles, and behaving like a swarm of insects. Read more

Scales Pull Snake Bot Forward

Posted by Jesse Emspak Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:06 AM ET | 0

A robot moves the way snakes do, using its scales and muscles. Read more

Biomimetics