Abstract
Cephalopods (e.g., octopus, squid and cuttlefish) employ their colour-changing skin for rapid active camouflage and signalling in complex visual environments. This is achieved through the collective embodied intelligence of chromatophores: Pigment organs which stretch under electrical stimulation to affect local skin colouration, and are also responsive to physical stimulation. In this study, we present an experimental investigation of touch-responsive bioinspired artificial cephalopod skin fabricated from soft dielectric elastomer, a material that has the potential to mimic the actuation of biological chromatophore cells in both speed and optical modulation. We measure the behaviour of an interacting cyclic network of such artificial chromatophores, using local strain as the control input that drives cell actuation. By applying simple local feedback rules analogous to cellular automata, we demonstrate that physical stimulation can generate a variety of travelling wave-like patterns that mimic those seen in biological cephalopod skins.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 2018 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft 2018) |
Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of a meeting held 24-28 April 2018, Livorno, Italy |
Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) |
Pages | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781538645161 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781538645178 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Event | 1st IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2018 - Livorno, Italy Duration: 24 Apr 2018 → 28 Apr 2018 |
Conference
Conference | 1st IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2018 |
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Country/Territory | Italy |
City | Livorno |
Period | 24/04/18 → 28/04/18 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Tactile Action Perception
- Engineering Mathematics Research Group