Scientists started using dead spiders as robotic arms

Rice University scientists could turn dead spiders into robotic arms capable of moving, grasping and holding objects. A nice bonus: such a system is biodegradable.

The spiders were chosen not on the basis of the principle “it’s not a pity for them”, but because of the special structure of the body of arachnids. Their propulsion system is hydraulic: a fluid-filled chamber in the center of the body (prosoma) pushes fluid into the legs to set them in motion, and separate valves provide independent control. This is why spiders always curl up when they die: there is no pressure to move their legs.

Researchers have found that this system can be controlled. They stuck a needle into the dead spider's prosoma and used the air to control the limbs. If you pump in a little air, the paws open, if you pump out, they close. Just like the claws of toy machines.

The authors of the work note that people have always found use for the remains of animals: even in ancient times, we wore animal skins and sharpened bones for arrows and simple tools. If we do not take something directly, we are often inspired: to remember the same planes or Boston Dynamics dog-like robots.

So far, the study only proves that the concept is working, but spider manipulators can be used in the future. For example, for sorting and moving small objects, and even assembling microelectronics. Spiders are ideal for this: they can lift objects weighing 1.3 times their own body weight, and their joints can withstand about 1,000 flexion and extension cycles.