Evaluate the extent to which movement inspired by biological organisms enhances overall robotic development in unstructured environments

Authors

  • Dawei Shen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61173/s6qf6898

Keywords:

bio-inspired robotics, biomimetic movement, unstructured environments, soft robots, quadruped robots, terrain adaptability

Abstract

This article evaluates the extent to which movement inspired by biological organisms enhances robotic development in unstructured environments. It examines how biological principles influence robotic mobility, stability, sensing, energy use, and practical adaptability across mountainous terrain, underwater environments, disaster response, and industrial contexts. Drawing on secondary research, the discussion compares bio-inspired systems, including ALPINE, underwater soft robots, BigDog, SoFi, and HIT_Spibot, with traditional wheeled, legged, and industrial robots. The analysis suggests that bio-inspired movement can improve robotic performance where conventional designs struggle with irregular surfaces, aquatic disturbance, and unpredictable hazards. However, the article also identifies limitations, including technical complexity, energy requirements, material constraints, and the difficulty of translating biological movement directly into engineered systems. It concludes that bio-inspired movement is a significant but not complete route for improving robotic development in unstructured environments.

References

Allinson, M. (2025). Autonomous snow-clearing vehicles: Solutions for winter's challenges. [online] Robotics & Automation News. Available at: https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/01/06/autonomous-snow-clearingvehicles-solutions-for-winters-challenges/88171/

Audibert, J.M. (2024). Global Bionic Robot Market Research

Report 2024. [online] QY Research. Available at: https://www. qyresearch.com/reports/2451920/bionic-robot [Accessed 21 Feb. 2026].

Cong, Y., Gu, C., Zhang, T. and Gao, Y. (2021). Underwater robot sensing technology: A survey. Fundamental Research, [online] 1(3), pp.337–345. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.fmre.2021.03.002.

Deng, C. and Li, Z. (2025). Review: Advanced Drive Technologies for Bionic Soft Robots. Journal of Bionic Engineering. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-025-00664-1

Emergen Research (2025). Bionic Robot Market Size, Share & Growth Report [2024-2034]. [online] Emergen Research. Available at: https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/ bionic-robot-market [Accessed 21 Feb. 2026]. Focchi, M., Prete, A.D., Fontanelli, D., Frego, M., Peer, A. and

Palopoli, L. (2025). ALPINE: A climbing robot for operations in mountain environments. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, [online] 190, p.104999. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.robot.2025.10499 Hasib, S.A., Gulzar, M.M., Oishy, Habib, S. and Shakoor, A. (2025). An investigation of innovative strategies in underwater soft robotics. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, [online] 70(2), p.102123. doi:https://doi. org/10.1016/jjstch.2025.102123

Huang, J. (2024). Remotely Operated Vehicle - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. [online] www.sciencedirect.com. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/ remotely-operated-vehicle. Li, S., Wu, T., Xu, J., Huang, Y., Zhang, Z., Zhao, H., Xu,

Q., Wang, Z., Ye, L., Yang, Y., Lyu, C, and Ding, W. (2026). Biomimetic multimodal tactile sensing enables human-like robotic perception. Nature Sensors, [online] 1(1), pp.52–62. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44460-025-00006-y

Mordor Intelligence (2025). Underwater Robotics Market Size, Share & 2030 Trends Report. [online] Mordor Intelligence. Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industryreports/underwater-robotics-market

Müller, C. (2025). Robotics 2025. [online] Available at: https:// ifr.org/img/worldrobotics/Executive_Summary_WR_2025_In_ industrial_Robots.pdf Raibert, M., Blankespoor, K., Nelson, G. and Player, R. (2024). BigDog, the Rough-Terrain Quadruped Robot. IFAC Proceedings Volumes, [online] 41(2), pp.10822–10825. doi:https://doi.org/10.3182/20080706-5-kr-1001.01833 Ren, L., Li, B., Wei, G., Wang, K., Song, Z., Wei, Y., Ren, L.

and Qingping Liu (2021). Biology and bioinspiration of soft robotics: Actuation, sensing, and system integration. iScience, 24(9), p.103075. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isc.2021.103075

ROBOTS FOR TOMORROW (2025). BigDog: Transforming Military Robotics for Rough Terrain. [online] ROBOTS FOR TOMORROW. Available at: https://robotsfortomorrow.com/ bigdog/.

Sotoodeh, K. (2026). Welcome To Zscaler Directory Authentication. [online] Marketresearchintellect.com. Available at: https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/bionicrobot-market/ [Accessed 21 Feb. 2026]. Xu, B., Zhang, X., Yu, X., Ou, Y., Zhang, K., Cai, H., Zhao,

J. and Fan, J. (2024). A Motion Planner Based on Mask- D3QN of Quadruped Robot Motion for Steam Generator. Biomimetics, [online] 9(10), p.592. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ biomimetics9100592.

Xu, Z., Xie, J. and Hashimoto, K. (2025). Human-Inspired Gait and Jumping Motion Generation for Bipedal Robots Using Model Predictive Control. Biomimetics, 10(1), p.17. doi:https:// doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10010017

Downloads

Published

2026-08-13