Rice University who successfully transformed dead spiders into robotic gripping claws. The scientists have dubbed their new area of research “necrobotics” and say it could create cheap, effective, and biodegradable alternatives to current robotic systems.

Figure 1: Transformed dead spiders into robotic gripping claws

Figure 1 shows thatthe team from Rice University discovered they could artificially operate this hydraulic system simply by sticking a needle into a dead spider’s prosoma, pushing air in and out to open and close the spider’s legs like an arcade claw machine. [1]

The team found that dead spiders could still be manipulated to open and close their legs by manipulating this system. The method involved sticking a needle into the cephalothorax (the fused head and thorax of the spider), and pushing air in and out, which made the legs open and close like a claw mechanism (think claw machines at fun fairs).

For example, hides and the skin of many species have been used for clothing or to create materials such as leather, while bones have been made into weapons and arrowheads. As it turns out, the transformation of dead spiders into claw robots is only an evolutionary following such practices, said the team, who also noted that robotics innovators also tend to find inspiration for designs by looking at nature – like the way a fish swims, or how birds beat their wings. [2]

“This area of soft robotics is a lot of fun because we get to use previously untapped types of actuation and materials,” said Assistant Professor of Engineering Daniel Preston. “The spider falls into this line of inquiry. It’s something that hasn’t been used before but has a lot of potential.”

Once Professor Preston’s team understood how spiders move their legs, turning them into robots that could lift more than their own body weight was straightforward. The procedure involved tapping a needle into the arachnid’s prosoma chamber and securing it with a dab of superglue.

A handheld syringe or lab equipment attached to the other end allowed the researchers to deliver a small amount of air to the cavity, which in turn would cause the dead spider to extend their legs instantly. The resulting mechanism was suitable for about 1,000 open and close cycles.According to Preston, potential use cases include microelectronics assembly and insect capture. [3]

References:

1. https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/28/23282023/dead-spiders-robot-grippers-necrobotics-research-rice-university
2. https://sea.mashable.com/tech/20974/dead-spiders-get-turned-into-working-claw-robots-by-scientists-and-its-creepy-af
3. https://www.engadget.com/rice-university-necrobotic-grippers-171454976.html

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), Necrobotics – Transformation of Dead Spiders into Robotic Gripping Claws, Anatechmaz, pp.158