Biomimicry

"The peculiar way that an inchworm inches along a surface may not be fast compared to using legs, wings, or wheels, but it does have advantages when it comes to maneuvering in small spaces. This is one of the reasons why researchers have designed and built a soft, worm-like robot that moves with a typical inchworm gait, pulling its body up and extending it forward to navigate its environment. The robots could one day be used in rescue and reconnaissance missions in places that are inaccessible to humans or larger robots.."

The Endotics® System was first conceived by observing Geometer moths, as robotics often draws inspiration from animal; plant kinematics and dynamics. Matching patients’ expectations (avoiding pain, infection & perforation risks) and physicians’ requirements (preventing work-related injuries), the Endotics® probe propels itself in the colon by mimicking the movements of the inchworm. This particular locomotion allows the probe to adapt itself to the dynamic curves and bends of the colon; this self-conformation feature minimises the unnatural deformation of the colon inherent in conventional colonoscopy.

Via David Sánchez