Progresses of animal robots: A historical review and perspectiveness
Zhengyue Zhou,
Hao Mei,
Rongxun Li,
Chenyuan Wang,
Ke Fang,
Wenbo Wang,
Yezhong Tang,
Zhendong Dai
Affiliations
Zhengyue Zhou
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Hao Mei
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Rongxun Li
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Chenyuan Wang
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Ke Fang
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Wenbo Wang
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Corresponding author.
Yezhong Tang
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. No.9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Corresponding author.
Zhendong Dai
Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Corresponding author.
Animal robots have remarkable advantages over traditional mechatronic ones in terms of energy supply, self-orientation, and natural concealment and can provide remarkable theoretical and practical values for scientific investigation, community service, military detection and other fields. Given these features, animal robots have become high-profile research objects and have recently attracted extensive attention. Herein, we have defined animal robots, reviewed the main types of animal robots, and discussed the potential developing directions. We have also detailed the mechanisms underlying the regulation of animal robots and introduced key methods for manipulating them. We have further proposed several application prospects for different types of animal robots. Finally, we have presented research directions for their further improvement.
