Bio-Inspired Robots: Design and Application

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Locomotion and Bioinspired Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2026 | Viewed by 1596

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, University of Quebec, 1100 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Interests: vibration analysis; nonlinear dynamics; robotic manipulators; biomechanic systems; machine learning; hamiltonian neural networks; soft robots; smart materials; composite materials; nanostructures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of bio-inspired robotics is transforming the way mechanical systems interact with complex environments in industry, healthcare, aerospace, and autonomous systems. By drawing inspiration from natural organisms, ranging from soft-bodied creatures and insects to human neuromuscular control, bio-inspired robots offer enhanced adaptability, resilience, dexterity, and efficiency. This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that explores the design principles, fabrication techniques, modeling strategies, and practical applications of biologically inspired robotic systems.

The scope of the issue covers both foundational scientific advances and emerging real-world applications. Topics include bio-inspired mechanical structures, soft and compliant actuators, smart materials, sensory-driven control architectures, and nonlinear dynamics governing robot–environment interaction. Contributions addressing bio-mechanical modeling, biomimetic structures, advanced sensing, autonomous movement, swarming behavior, and sustainable materials for robotics are highly encouraged. Research articles, review papers, and experimental or theoretical studies are welcome.

This Special Issue aims to serve as a platform for advancing the next generation of robotic systems that mimic the efficiency and intelligence of natural organisms. By integrating biology, engineering, materials science, and artificial intelligence, we hope to stimulate new interdisciplinary collaborations and support the development of innovative robotic solutions with strong industrial and societal impact.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Seyed Hamed Seyed Hosseini
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • bio-inspired robotics
  • soft robots and smart materials
  • biomimetic design and structures
  • nonlinear dynamics and control
  • biomechanics-inspired actuation
  • sensory-driven robotic systems
  • autonomous and adaptive behavior
  • robotic manipulation and locomotion
  • bio-inspired mechatronics
  • applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and aerospace

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5071 KB  
Article
Dynamics and Control of a Novel Hybrid Legged Robot with Temporary Flight Capabilities
by Emir Kutluay, Oğuzhan Gültekin and Yiğit Yazıcıoğlu
Biomimetics 2026, 11(5), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11050328 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 386
Abstract
In this study, a novel flying legged robot configuration with enhanced obstacle-crossing capability is introduced. Legged robots, especially RHex robots, already possess high obstacle-crossing capability; however, the obstacle size that can be overcome is directly dependent on the leg length. Although stair climbing–descending, [...] Read more.
In this study, a novel flying legged robot configuration with enhanced obstacle-crossing capability is introduced. Legged robots, especially RHex robots, already possess high obstacle-crossing capability; however, the obstacle size that can be overcome is directly dependent on the leg length. Although stair climbing–descending, obstacle course and inclined surface algorithms have been studied for the RHex robot, flight capability has not been explored. In this study, this improvement is achieved with minimal impact on the RHex’s design by adding just a thruster as an additional propulsion system to propel the robot into flight. The attitude control is realized using the mass actuation of the robot legs, similar to how animals like lizards and cats utilize their limbs or tails as inertial appendages to stabilize their body pitch during mid-air maneuvers. Instead of direct and complete flight control, the aim was a temporary flight similar to obstacle-clearing flights of chickens. Hence, a nonlinear 2D model is developed to investigate the kinematics and dynamics of the RHex robot. Equations of motion are derived, linearized and used in a state feedback regulator design; the regulator is also expanded for reference tracking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Robots: Design and Application)
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19 pages, 14777 KB  
Article
Human-Inspired Holistic Control for Mobile Humanoid Robots
by Zijian Wang, Xuanrui Ren, Hongfu Tang, Hongzhe Jin and Jie Zhao
Biomimetics 2026, 11(2), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11020130 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 822
Abstract
Humanoid mobile manipulators integrate a humanoid upper body with a mobile platform, forming a highly redundant system capable of performing complex manipulation tasks. To address the redundancy arising from the coordinated motion of the wheeled base, waist, and dual arms, this study proposes [...] Read more.
Humanoid mobile manipulators integrate a humanoid upper body with a mobile platform, forming a highly redundant system capable of performing complex manipulation tasks. To address the redundancy arising from the coordinated motion of the wheeled base, waist, and dual arms, this study proposes a human-inspired holistic control method based on multi-objective optimization. The degrees of freedom (DOF) of the upper limbs and the mobile base are unified within a single control framework, thereby enhancing overall motion coordination. Specifically, the controller is formulated as a strictly convex quadratic program (QP) that ensures accurate end-effector tracking while effectively handling joint position and velocity constraints. Inspired by human motor characteristics, the method incorporates a hierarchical weight assignment strategy and base DOF optimization to preserve arm manipulability while achieving effective coordination between the base and waist. Simulation studies of dual-arm handling tasks and real-world experiments involving mobile handling and peg-in-hole assembly demonstrate that the proposed method generates smooth, humanoid-like motions, thereby validating the effectiveness of the proposed control framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Inspired Robots: Design and Application)
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