The Dawn Of 'Soft Robots'

Scientists have been garnering inspiration from nature to make biomimicry breakthroughs in robotics. David Pogue visits a zoo in Germany where an elephant's trunk is providing engineers with the blueprint for a soft robot.

Oct 17, 2013

Scientists have been garnering inspiration from nature to make biomimicry breakthroughs in robotics. David Pogue visits a zoo in Germany where an elephant's trunk is providing engineers with the blueprint for a soft robot.

Latest in Operations
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsored
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
October 1, 2026
Aerial view of brick industrial complex with parking lot, green spaces, and surrounding cityscape
Honeywell Spin-off Expands U.S. R&D Hub
October 13, 2026
Glycolic acid bottle with dropper in laboratory setting with petri dish and test tubes
India's Avid Organics to Build First U.S. Specialty Chemicals Facility
October 13, 2026
Green combine harvesters and tractors harvesting grain in a dusty field with trees in background
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Decline in September
October 13, 2026
Related Stories
Mnet 31111 Teva
Operations
Israeli Drug Maker In Uproar Over Planned Layoffs
Mnet 31103 Haiti Garment
Operations
Haitian Garment Plants Accused Of Cheating Workers
alt
Operations
Food Grade Lubricant
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsor Content
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
More in Operations
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
Sponsored
A Wireless Andon System Your Plant Can Try Free for 60 Days
A button at each station pages the right person. Installs in about an hour.
October 1, 2026
Aerial view of brick industrial complex with parking lot, green spaces, and surrounding cityscape
Operations
Honeywell Spin-off Expands U.S. R&D Hub
The company makes high-performance specialty materials for critical industries.
October 13, 2026
Glycolic acid bottle with dropper in laboratory setting with petri dish and test tubes
Operations
India's Avid Organics to Build First U.S. Specialty Chemicals Facility
Part of a $50 million investment in the company's U.S. operations.
October 13, 2026
Green combine harvesters and tractors harvesting grain in a dusty field with trees in background
Operations
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Decline in September
John Deere cited weaker equipment demand when offering a contract extension to UAW workers.
October 13, 2026
EFC blue control device mounted on industrial factory equipment with colorful overhead cables and structural beams
Operations
Improved Electronic Flow Control for Smarter Compressed Air Use
The latest design introduces asynchronous timing for greater control over operating cycles.
October 13, 2026
Worker in gray shirt and tool belt organizing cardboard boxes in a modern warehouse with teal shelving.
Operations
Smart Exoskeleton Technology Reduces Back Strain
The IX Back Volton supports the wearer's back with up to 17 kilograms per lifting operation.
October 13, 2026
A ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kerry’s coffee extraction facility, Hanover Township, Pa., Sept. 30, 2026.
Operations
Kerry Group Opens Pennsylvania Coffee Plant
The facility will be able to roast up to 22 million pounds per year.
October 13, 2026
Tattoo comparison showing black ink under visible light and UV-reactive purple pigment under ultraviolet light on forearm
Operations
Invisible Tattoo Ink Can Be Switched On and Off with Bright Light
Is the ancient art ready for an upgrade?
October 13, 2026
Industrial warehouse facility with rows of automated sorting machines and a worker in blue uniform monitoring operations
Operations
Schweitzer Engineering Invests Over $500M to Expand U.S. Manufacturing
The work stretches across four states.
October 13, 2026
U.S. Capitol dome overlaid with dollar bills and stacked shipping containers symbolizing government, finance, and international trade.
Operations
America’s Debt Crisis: Why the National Debt Threatens Manufacturing Subsidies and Reshoring
If we want to reshore production and give hope to the middle class, we must face our financial problems.
October 12, 2026
Robotic hand with glowing sound wave visualization and digital control panel interface representing AI audio technology
Operations
Smart Cut Guard Module for Granulators
Analysis of vibration provides an early warning of potential problems.
October 12, 2026
I Stock 139599032
Operations
Metalworking Machinery Orders Up Over 36% in August
Orders through the first eight months of the year were up nearly 37%.
October 12, 2026
Workers processing lumber at an industrial woodworking facility with yellow machinery and green structural beams.
Operations
From Clockmakers to Pet Food Plants: Factory Workers Blame Layoffs on Tariff Spikes
Proponents insist a factory boom is underway.
October 12, 2026
GSK corporate headquarters building with orange logo sign against blue sky and clouds
Operations
GSK Commits $800M to Expand Pennsylvania Manufacturing Facility
The expansion project will include the demolition of existing buildings.
October 12, 2026
Industrial worker in neon safety gear adjusting valve on large metal pipeline system
Operations
PIP, GORE-TEX Collaborate to Advance Worker Protection
The collaboration will accelerate the development of protective solutions that address increasingly complex workplace hazards.
October 9, 2026