Octopuses follow two strategies to squeeze through tiny holes
Summary
Scientists have found that octopuses use two different strategies to squeeze through tight openings, changing their movements as gaps get narrower. The findings could help inspire more flexible robots for navigating confined spaces such as debris and search-and-rescue environments.
Key Points
- Researchers observed three sub-adult common octopuses squeezing through an adjustable opening and identified two distinct movement strategies.
- When the opening was wider, octopuses used a three-step maneuver; when it was narrower, they switched to a four-step process.
- The study suggests the size of the arms near the body, rather than the beak, may limit how small a gap an octopus can pass through.
- The findings could inform the design of soft, octopus-inspired robots for confined-space navigation.
