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Soft Plant Robotic Solutions: Biological Inspiration and Technological Challenges

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Advances in Unconventional Computing

Part of the book series: Emergence, Complexity and Computation ((ECC,volume 23))

Abstract

Plants have a sessile lifestyle, and, as a consequence, their structures have a modular organization to ensure surviving in case of environmental damage or predation. Moreover, they developed strategies for efficiently use the resources available in their surroundings, and a well-organized sensing system that allows them to explore the environment and react rapidly to potentially dangerous circumstances. In particular plant roots behaviour emerges from the complex and dynamic interaction between their morphology, sensory-motor control, and environment. Despite the richness of behaviours, mechanisms and features shown, only in recent years scientists and engineers started to consider plants as a possible source of inspiration for developing new technological solutions. In this chapter we highlight how plants and plant roots represent a new model in bioinspired soft robotics and technologies, reporting on few examples of solutions inspired by plants, including growing robots, osmosis-based actuators, controllable hygromorphic materials, and mechanoperceptive systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy

    B. Mazzolai, V. Mattoli & L. Beccai

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  1. B. Mazzolai
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  2. V. Mattoli
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  3. L. Beccai
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Correspondence to B. Mazzolai .

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  1. Unconventional ComputingCentre, University of the Westof England Unconventional ComputingCentre, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Andrew Adamatzky

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Mazzolai, B., Mattoli, V., Beccai, L. (2017). Soft Plant Robotic Solutions: Biological Inspiration and Technological Challenges. In: Adamatzky, A. (eds) Advances in Unconventional Computing. Emergence, Complexity and Computation, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33921-4_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33921-4_27

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