The Material Turn in the Study of Form: From Bio-Inspired Robots to Robotics-Inspired Morphology

Tamborini, Marco

doi:10.1162/posc_a_00388

Cited by 22 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The aim of this study was to produce microwear features seen in nature, i.e., pits and scratches, and to quantify macroscopic wear with real teeth and diets, in order to achieve a detailed picture of the wear process and its components” [ 60 ]. As in the case of the OroBot, the use of technology and various machines here also brings the investigation of the past (micro-wear process) close to engineering [ 59 , 61 ].…”

Section: Twenty-first-century Paleontology: More Data More Technology...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This transition implies bridging of the gap between technology and nature. Form changes should now be studied through in vivo investigations (such as the classical anatomical dissection), in silico (as, for example, through CT scanners or computer simulations), and eventually again in a hybrid and highly integrated in vivo–silico–robotic environment through bio-robotics [ 61 ]. The full integration of these methodological levels would help illustrate the structural interplay of elements that characterizes form change.…”

Section: Twenty-first-century Paleontology: More Data More Technology...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This spirit should be put at the center of twenty-first-century paleontology – this agenda is also perused by other technoscientific disciplines such as biorobotics, synthetic biology, nano(bio)technology, etc. See, for instance, [ 59 , 61 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. This enterprise should be characterized by a cooperative model of knowledge production.…”

Section: Conclusion: a Plea For A New Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Plea for a New Synthesis: From Twentieth-Century Paleobiology to Twenty-First-Century Paleontology and Back Again

Tamborini

2022

Biology

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In this paper, I will briefly discuss the elements of novelty and continuity between twentieth-century paleobiology and twenty-first-century paleontology. First, I will outline the heated debate over the disciplinary status of paleontology in the mid-twentieth century. Second, I will analyze the main theoretical issue behind this debate by considering two prominent case studies within the broader paleobiology agenda. Third, I will turn to twenty-first century paleontology and address five representative research topics. In doing so, I will characterize twenty-first century paleontology as a science that strives for more data, more technology, and more integration. Finally, I will outline what twenty-first-century paleontology might inherit from twentieth-century paleobiology: the pursuit of and plea for a new synthesis that could lead to a second paleobiological revolution. Following in the footsteps of the paleobiological revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, the paleobiological revolution of the twenty-first century would enable paleontologists to gain strong political representation and argue with a decisive voice at the “high table” on issues such as the expanded evolutionary synthesis, the conservation of Earth’s environment, and global climate change.

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Section: Twenty-first-century Paleontology: More Data More Technology...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Twenty-first-century Paleontology: More Data More Technology...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conclusion: a Plea For A New Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Plea for a New Synthesis: From Twentieth-Century Paleobiology to Twenty-First-Century Paleontology and Back Again

Tamborini

2022

Biology

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“…Throughout history, machines endowed with sensing and actuating devices-now called robotshave been often involved in the development of philosophical and empirical theories on the form and mechanisms of animal behavior and cognition (Tamborini, 2021(Tamborini, , 2022. Their role has occasionally been inspirational.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Going Beyond the “Synthetic Method”: New Paradigms Cross-Fertilizing Robotics and Cognitive Neuroscience

2022

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In so-called ethorobotics and robot-supported social cognitive neurosciences, robots are used as scientific tools to study animal behavior and cognition. Building on previous epistemological analyses of biorobotics, in this article it is argued that these two research fields, widely differing from one another in the kinds of robots involved and in the research questions addressed, share a common methodology, which significantly differs from the “synthetic method” that, until recently, dominated biorobotics. The methodological novelty of this strategy, the research opportunities that it opens, and the theoretical and technological challenges that it gives rise to, will be discussed with reference to the peculiarities of the two research fields. Some broad methodological issues related to the generalization of results concerning robot-animal interaction to theoretical conclusions on animal-animal interaction will be identified and discussed.

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“…As happened in the past [1][2][3][4][5], collaboration between biologists, roboticists, engineers, and architectural designers should also emerge today as a catalyst for exploring the fusion of material performance, robotics, and shared agency. This would pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in both robotic science and bioinspired engineering [6,7].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Tamborini

2024

Bioinspir. Biomim.

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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.

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The Material Turn in the Study of Form: From Bio-Inspired Robots to Robotics-Inspired Morphology

Cited by 22 publications

References 54 publications

A Plea for a New Synthesis: From Twentieth-Century Paleobiology to Twenty-First-Century Paleontology and Back Again

A Plea for a New Synthesis: From Twentieth-Century Paleobiology to Twenty-First-Century Paleontology and Back Again

Going Beyond the “Synthetic Method”: New Paradigms Cross-Fertilizing Robotics and Cognitive Neuroscience

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

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