Imitating hares, reindeer and wolverines—how researchers adapt nature's design for human technologies in the Arctic?
Biomimetics or biomorphism is a branch of science that suggests applying natural patterns to different spheres of human designs. Throughout the 20th century, those were used in architecture, painting, and industrial design. Nowadays, Russian and Chinese researchers study and apply natural principles for transport and mechanisms in the Arctic.
The philosophy behind biomimetics opposes the 'antagonism of nature and technosphere throughout the past 300 years' and bears a lot of potential for many areas of technological developments, as scientists put it. Today's potential of this sphere relies heavily on modelling and therefore will increase with future technological advancements.
A 2024 study by Chinese researchers investigates and tests the idea of mimicking the reindeer hoof shape for a mechanical foot. The potential of this idea extends to the use for permafrost and even for ‘planet exploration’, with extended research and tests of the ‘hoof’ on the lunar surface.
The benefits of using a hoof-mimicking mechanical foot are that a robot gains more flexibility and becomes more suitable for unexpected terrains. The experimental analysis of the foot shows that it conserves more energy and demonstrates more stability on frozen ground, ice and the lunar surface. The foot is also able to bear more weight.
One of the major points in using specifically foot robots is that they show better performance on the lunar surface, compared to common wheeled robots, which have difficulties navigating moon craters.
A 2023 study by Russian researchers analyses the biomimetics approach specifically for Arctic conditions. The proposed designs look into how Arctic animals move through the snow, naturally incorporating running and gliding to pass different surfaces.
In practice, when translating this to the machinery, it means using tracks and skis on the vehicles, maintaining the correct weight distribution. The authors suggest that even during the summer, this design will be quite helpful as it will cultivate the soil. According to the researchers, this artificially made behaviour imitates reindeer.
The conceptual design of biomimetic transport also applies low average speed, low ground pressure, and smart weight distribution for movement, as well as some ergonomic features like low seating posture and wide-angle view.
Some takeaways from the study are rather unexpected, as for example, authors also focus on such characteristics of Arctic animals as vision, which can be imitated using advanced sensors. This suggests mimicking nature in every tiny detail, starting from behaviour and movement around tundra to the visual abilities of animals.
In conclusion, biomimetics is slowly gaining renown and seems to be becoming a new research trend. This branch of study may bring some more interesting projects in the future, possibly, on an industrial scale. Biomimetics might emerge as a more rational, environmentally-friendly approach to technology, with more attention to nature, while at the same time remaining more effective.
The Editorial Board of the Arctic Century
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