Meet Trevor, the biomimetic caterpillar

Researchers at the University of Auckland have invented a biomimetic caterpillar named Trevor, said to be the first of his kind. Trevor is powered by a DC voltage that activates artificial muscles — otherwise, he is entirely electronics-free.

Artificial muscles are made of soft, electroactive polymers, differentiating them from the hard and stiff components that are common today. Scientists have already discovered how to make many different devices out of them, including sensors, switches, motors and generators.

Researchers at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute’s Biomimetics Lab have used this technology to produce an artificial muscle–artificial neuron network — a so-called dielectric elastomer oscillator — which uses piezoresistive dielectric elastomer switches (DESs). The DESs comprise reflexive switching upon mechanical strain and are stimulated by the movement of adjacent artificial muscles in a direct feedback mechanism.

The researchers integrated this technology into Trevor, supporting his artificial muscles in a skeleton-like plastic frame. When Trevor is fed a single DC voltage through his feet, the combination of artificial muscles and reflexive artificial neurons can spontaneously generate all necessary voltages to stimulate his muscles and make him move. The result is that Trevor creeps forward just like a regular caterpillar, his body moving in a wave-like pattern due to the interaction between the muscles and the flexible zig-zag tracks painted on their surfaces.

While a biomimetic caterpillar is not particularly useful in and of itself, the researchers believe the same technology applied to Trevor could one day be used for soft fluid pumps or conveyors. Ultimately, they say it will lead to a future generation of devices composed of soft and flexible parts that are much easier to live with than the hard, rigid structures we’re used to.