Novel Motion Sequences in Plant-Inspired Robotics: Combining Inspirations from Snap-Trapping in Two Plant Species into an Artificial Venus Flytrap Demonstrator

Abstract

The field of plant-inspired robotics is based on principles underlying the movements and attachment and adaptability strategies of plants, which together with their materials systems serve as concept generators. The transference of the functions and underlying structural principles of plants thus enables the development of novel life-like technical materials systems. For example, principles involved in the hinge-less movements of carnivorous snap-trap plants and climbing plants can be used in technical applications. A combination of the snap-trap motion of two plant species (Aldrovanda vesiculosa and Dionaea muscipula) has led to the creation of a novel motion sequence for plant-inspired robotics in an artificial Venus flytrap system, the Venus Flyflap. The novel motion pattern of Venus Flyflap lobes has been characterized by using four state-of-the-art actuation systems. A kinematic analysis of the individual phases of the new motion cycle has been performed by utilizing precise pneumatic actuation. Contactless magnetic actuation augments lobe motion into energy-efficient resonance-like oscillatory motion. The use of environmentally driven actuator materials has allowed autonomous motion generation via changes in environmental conditions. Measurement of the energy required for the differently actuated movements has shown that the Venus Flyflap is not only faster than the biological models in its closing movement, but also requires less energy in certain cases for the execution of this movement.

Biomimetics for innovative and future-oriented space applications - A review

“…Contactless containment of a small satellite based on the example of a mouth or Venus flytrap (Shahinpoor, 2011;Banken et al, 2022), for example, would allow safe repairs and maintenance without the risk of spare parts, tools and spacecraft appendages to escape as additionally generated space debris. The Venus flytrap has already been used as an inspiration for advances in the fields of robotics (Shahinpoor, 2011;Falk et al, 2022;Tauber et al, 2022).…”

Early career scientists converse on the future of soft robotics

“…However, the great challenge lies in combining these scientific and engineering achievements in functional and easy-to-produce soft systems. One focus area of soft robotics dedicated to such systems is bio-inspired plant robotics, with the example of artificial Venus flytrap systems (AVFs) (Esser et al, 2020;Tauber et al, 2022). AVFs try to mimic the functions of a real plant by reacting to "prey," sensing environmental conditions and harvesting energy from the environment.…”

Soft octopus-inspired suction cups using dielectric elastomer actuators with sensing capabilities

“…Researchers are studying how various mechanisms have evolved in nature, aiming to mimic the adaptability and versatility of biological systems without necessarily replicating their exact structure [1][2][3][4]. Such robots aim to impersonate a variety of functions from the animal and plant kingdom, including the suction capabilities of octopus suction cups [5][6][7], the adhesive properties of gecko feet [8], the movement of octopus tentacles [9][10][11], the grasping mechanism found in bird claws [12], the walking gait of insects [13], or the snapping mechanism of the Venus flytrap [14,15].…”