Innovative new robot design inspired by elephant trunks will revolutionise healthcare and engineering

24 Jun 2025

Engineers have unveiled a groundbreaking robotic design, inspired by an elephant’s trunk, that promises to revolutionise the field of robotics, with far-reaching implications for health, engineering, and industrial applications.

The research team at University College Cork (UCC) have published a new study illustrating an innovative new design that promises to improve the stiffness of what are known as compliant continuum robots (CCRs),

Compliant continuum robots, characterised by their slender, flexible bodies, are designed to operate in confined spaces and complex environments where traditional rigid-link robots cannot function. These robots are remote controlled and allow for precise control and adaptability in challenging scenarios.

However, traditional CCRs are limited due to their poor tip stiffness, making them incapable of interacting effectively with their environments, such as carrying working tools.

In a new study published in ‘The International Journal of Robotics Research’, researchers have demonstrated that tip stiffness can be significantly enhanced and can be increased by increasing cable forces with the introduction of anti-buckling joints, whose load-dependent effects address this issue.  This method for designing CCRs is inspired by the structure and stiffness characteristics of an elephant's trunk.

This new research introduces an explicit physics-based free-body diagram method to model the nonlinear large deformations of CCRs.

These enhanced CCRs are set to contribute to various sectors:

• Healthcare: The improved stiffness and control of CCRs can advance minimally invasive surgical procedures, enabling surgeons to perform complex operations with greater precision while improving the patient experience.
• Engineering and Turbines: In industrial maintenance, CCRs can be deployed for the inspection and upkeep of turbines and other machinery in confined spaces, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Collaborative Robotics: The increased tip stiffness allows CCRs to interact more effectively with their environments, making them ideal for collaborative tasks alongside human workers.

By showcasing the innovative design and capabilities of CCRs, the study encourages the next generation of engineers and scientists to contribute to the evolving landscape of robotics.

Study author Prof Guangbo Hao, School of Engineering and Architecture, UCC commented: "This pioneering research marks a significant step forward in the development of compliant continuum robots. By enhancing their stiffness and functionality, the study opens new avenues for their application in critical areas, ultimately benefiting society through improved healthcare, industrial efficiency, and collaborative robotics."