# Episode 107: Animal-inspired robot movement - Robert Siddall

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2025-01-31
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 107
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-107-robert-siddall-animal-inspired-robot-movement

## Summary

Robert Siddall, a lecturer in Robotics at the University of Surrey, discusses bio-inspired robot designs aimed at solving environmental problems. He details the development of a pangolin-inspired seed-planting robot that won the 2023 Natural Robotics contest, explaining the mechanical challenges of its rolling and digging mechanisms. Siddall also describes his PhD work on a gannet-inspired flying and diving robot, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning between air and water, and his research into gecko-inspired gliding robots for robust aerial movement.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=7) Introduction and State of Robotic Locomotion
- [7:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=435) The Natural Robotics Contest and Pangolin Robot
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=663) Environmental Applications and Ecosystem Engineering
- [14:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=856) Gecko-Inspired Gliding Robot Research
- [17:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=1049) Gannet-Inspired Flying and Diving Robot
- [21:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-01-31-episode-107-animal-inspired-robot-movement-robert-siddall#t=1273) Challenges of Flapping Wing Flight and Future Goals

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Surrey (company)
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (company)
- Natural Robotics contest (other)
- Humboldt Foundation (company)
- Singapore Air Force (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [49. What Robots Can Learn from Starfish and Falcons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-21-49-what-robots-can-learn-from-starfish-and-falcons) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [222. Tree-Climbing and Reef-Restoring Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-06-17-222-tree-climbing-and-reef-restoring-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [133. Mighty Morphing All Terrain Robots Made By Nature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-01-133-mighty-morphing-all-terrain-robots-made-by-nature) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [23. Bird-Inspired Drone Wings, Scaling Digital Twins, Tracking Microplastics From Space](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-06-22-23-bird-inspired-drone-wings-scaling-digital-twins-tracking-microplastics-from-s) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [35. The Feisty Crustacean That Inspired A New Generation of Super Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-09-14-35-the-feisty-crustacean-that-inspired-a-new-generation-of-super-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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