Despite significant advancements in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence, a recent study reveals that modern robots still cannot match the speed of the fastest animals. Scientists reached this conclusion after analyzing over a hundred research papers and comparing robots with animals in various parameters including power, design, actuators, sensors, and control systems.
The key issue lies not in the individual components of robots, but in how these components are integrated. Mechanical engineer Kaushik Jayaram from the University of Colorado in Boulder emphasizes that at the system level, robots do not operate as efficiently as they potentially could.
For instance, Jayaram points to a robot inspired by cockroaches, developed in 2020, which exhibits quick movements but struggles with changing direction or navigating uneven surfaces. Such design compromises can be both a hindrance and an advantage as different processes interact in unpredictable ways.
Researchers also observed that even the smallest insects outperform most robots in terms of environmental perception and behavioral adaptation. While motors and batteries may outstrip tissues and muscles in certain aspects, animals excel in combining power and sensor capabilities at the cellular level.
Jayaram notes, “Animals, in a way, represent the epitome of this ideal design principle – a system that functions seamlessly as a whole.” He believes that nature serves as an invaluable teacher for innovative engineering approaches.
The primary objective of this study is to motivate engineers to develop more versatile and agile robots capable of adapting to diverse movement conditions. Scientists propose focusing on creating “functional units” where various elements are integrated similarly to animal cells.
Despite over two centuries of intensive engineering and advancements in space technology, the challenge of creating robots that outperform biological systems in natural settings remains unresolved. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Science Robotics.