Under the direction of Dr. Ardian Jusufi, the scientists and engineers of the independent Max Planck Research Group Locomotion in Biorobotic and Somatic Systems study natural locomotion and the organismic bauplan that enables the graceful movement of animals in unstructured environments. The researchers apply their biological discoveries from animal experiments, capturing real-world behavior, to the creation of life-like robots with the vision to make robot movement indistinguishable from the elegant and efficient movements of animals - overall expanding the biomimetic robotic potential in real-world applications. Their research is at the nexus of engineering, materials, and biosciences.

The group conducts research in a variety of areas, and stands out as having experts in biological sciences, robotics, and material technologies. While the majority of today's robots are still constructed using stiff and hard components, soft robotics seeks to integrate malleable, flexible components into synthetic systems. To do this, scientists rely on the morphological intelligence inherent in mammals, insects, and reptiles' body structures, which enables them to move effectively and robustly. The interactions of stronger or stiffer material with softer or more flexible tissues are of special importance; animal movement involves a flawlessly coordinated action of all materials. Jusufi and his colleagues believe that by using these natural design principles and integrating morphological intelligence into swimming or climbing robots, such machines will be able to deal with more complicated situations and overcome barriers more efficiently. 

The group’s research highlights include:

Investigating bio-inspired solutions for complex movement.

Here, we use non-invasive motion capture techniques to understand challenging locomotory behaviors including swimming, gliding, and perching in animals. Understanding each of these behaviors allows us to translate our findings to create novel biologically informed designs and mechanisms for robotic locomotion and thus making robotic movements more realistic and applicable in a variety of real-world situations.
Soft material manufacturing.

A key requirement to create life-like robotic movements is to fabricate actuators and sensors that are soft and capable of generating movements that conventional rigid actuators cannot. We have drawn inspiration from how animals sense their environment and sensors that can track changes in body orientation to enhance the control of robotic systems.

However, the scientists' goal extends beyond that; understanding how animals move and why by developing life-like robots, they may be able to answer evolution's design choices, and allow the scientists to gain previously unknown insights into the animals’ underlying sensory and locomotory mechanisms. Ultimately, the scientists want to acquire a better knowledge of both animals and technology.