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Review
. 2022 Nov 11;8(11):e11499.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11499. eCollection 2022 Nov.

Progresses of animal robots: A historical review and perspectiveness

Zhengyue Zhou  1 , Hao Mei  1 , Rongxun Li  1 , Chenyuan Wang  1 , Ke Fang  1 , Wenbo Wang  1 , Yezhong Tang  1   2 , Zhendong Dai  1
Affiliations
Review

Progresses of animal robots: A historical review and perspectiveness

Zhengyue Zhou et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Animal robots have remarkable advantages over traditional mechatronic ones in terms of energy supply, self-orientation, and natural concealment and can provide remarkable theoretical and practical values for scientific investigation, community service, military detection and other fields. Given these features, animal robots have become high-profile research objects and have recently attracted extensive attention. Herein, we have defined animal robots, reviewed the main types of animal robots, and discussed the potential developing directions. We have also detailed the mechanisms underlying the regulation of animal robots and introduced key methods for manipulating them. We have further proposed several application prospects for different types of animal robots. Finally, we have presented research directions for their further improvement.

Keywords: Animal robots; Functional nuclei; Functional verification; Motor behavior; Neural circuit.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Modern view of vertebrate evolution. Current vertebrate begins with the fish group that contains the most recent ancestors of land tetrapods.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Exemplar of animal robot technology integration with the development timeline.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Four base classifications of the regulation principles used in regulation of motion behavior in animal robots.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Neural circuits influence vertebrate motor behavior adjustments in several ways (Image adapted from Medical neuroscience). (A) Midbrain and CPG participate in motor behavior initiation and maintenance. (B) Emotion plays a role in motor behavior adjustment. (C) External perception is involved in motor behavior modification (Purves, 2008).
Figure 5
Figure 5
The techniques and methods to manipulate the neurons. (A) Electricphysiological recording for the neuron polarization. (B) Calcium imagine visualizing the neuron activity. (C) Electric probe firing the specific region of neurons. (D) Optogenetic protocol exciting or inhibiting specific neuronal groups in the brain region.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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