FURI | Fall 2019

Functionality of an Octopus Arm

The purpose of this research project is to determine the functionality of each muscle group in an octopus arm. Quantitatively tracking the complex motion and electromyography signals produced by an activated arm opens the door to unprecedented bio-inspired robotics that have an optimal motor control system. The research team is currently running experiments in which an amputated octopi arm is suspended in water and mechanically stimulated. EMG signals are collected by unipolar probes in the neural cord and main muscle fibers. Post-processing of the signals and quantitatively tracking the motion has been achieved, however further improvements are being implemented.