Make: Online | Biomimetic Octopus Tentacle Manipulator

Make: Online | Biomimetic Octopus Tentacle Manipulator: Fig. 1. (a) Arrangement of the hydrostatic muscles in the octopus tentacle: the longitudinal muscles (L) extend along the whole tentacle length; the transversal muscles (T) connect the external tissues and, when contracted, make the tentacle diameter reduce and the length increase. The external oblique muscles (O) around the whole tentacle allow torsion. The central axis of the arm is occupied by the axial nerve cord (N), which includes both nerve cell bodies and axons, and it is wrapped by medial oblique muscles. (b), (c), (d) Design of the muscular elements of the robotic tentacle: longitudinal muscles (b), transverse muscles (c), and integration in an arm (d).

Short Sharp Science: Robotic elephant trunk could hang with humans

Short Sharp Science: Robotic elephant trunk could hang with humans: "Alongside the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Stuttgart, it turned to 3D printing technology to make soft, compliant lightweight trunk segments that can nevertheless be steered by strong, pneumatically-powered artificial muscles hidden deep within.

Festo says its elephant's trunk-inspired limb, dubbed the Bionic Handling Assistant, is peppered with resistance sensors that limit its extension when it senses contact - potentially making it safe for anyone to use and interact with."