What's happened
Researchers are developing paleo-inspired robots to study ancient animal movement and evolution. By simulating extinct species, scientists aim to understand how vertebrates transitioned from water to land and how flight evolved. This innovative approach could reshape our understanding of evolutionary biology and the mechanics of movement.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Dr. Michael Ishida emphasizes that paleo-inspired robotics can simulate millions of years of evolution in a single day of engineering effort. He notes, 'Understanding these big changes is not something you can easily do just looking at fossilized remains.' The Independent highlights that this approach could fill gaps in research, particularly regarding how ancient fish evolved to support weight on land. Dr. Ishida states, 'We want to know things like how much energy different walking patterns would have required.' This innovative research is supported by the Human Frontier Science Program and published in the journal Science Robotics.
How we got here
The field of paleo-inspired robotics is emerging as a way to bridge gaps in our understanding of evolution. Traditional fossil analysis has limitations, prompting scientists to explore robotic simulations to study ancient anatomy and movement patterns.
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