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[TECHNOLOGY] · 3 sources

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Octopus biology inspires new soft robotics and scientific research

octopus biology soft robotics artificial muscle cephalopod nervous system biomimicry

Scientific research and engineering advancements are increasingly drawing inspiration from the unique biological traits of the octopus.

In robotics, researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed an artificial muscle that mimics the octopus's ability to control specific limb regions. This design allows a single actuator to drive both global movement and localized contractions, potentially enabling small soft robots to navigate complex machinery or collect samples in hard-to-reach areas.

Biological studies further highlight the octopus's complex physiology. They possess three hearts—two dedicated to pumping blood through the gills and one for systemic circulation—and blue blood containing copper-based hemocyanin. Additionally, their nervous system is highly decentralized; more than two-thirds of their 500 million neurons are located in their arms, which contain segmented nerve cords that function as local control centers for complex movements.

Entities

Cecilia Laschi · National University of Singapore · Natural History Museum · Wenci Xin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Researchers at the National University of Singapore developed an artificial muscle inspired by octopus nervous connections. asisucede.com.mx
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] More than two-thirds of an octopus's approximately 500 million neurons are distributed throughout its arms. muyinteresante.okdiario.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Octopuses possess three hearts: two pump blood to the gills and one circulates it to the rest of the body. mayacomunicacion.com.mx
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Nervous cords in octopus arms are divided into segments that act as local control centers. muyinteresante.okdiario.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Octopus blood is blue due to hemocyanin, a copper-containing protein used for oxygen transport. mayacomunicacion.com.mx
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The new artificial muscle design allows a single actuator to control both global movement and localized contractions. asisucede.com.mx

Sources

Tres corazones y sangre azul: así funciona un pulpo | Maya Comunicación [mayacomunicacion.com.mx]
Crean músculo artificial inspirado en el pulpo que se contrae por regiones con un solo actuador [asisucede.com.mx]
¿Los brazos de los pulpos tienen su propio “cerebro”? [muyinteresante.okdiario.com]