Conveyor takes cue from nature

Researchers from the University of the West of England see this as the future for industrial transportation systems. The group, led by Prof Andy Adamatzky, recently won a £360,000 EPSRC grant to develop its concept.

Their technology’s design uses low-power micro-actuators that collectively transport and position objects. Its inspiration comes from the biological phenomena of cilia - small hair-like structures on the surface of cells that sense local properties, such as in olfactory neurons for smell. They can also move in a coordinated wave action to pass liquid over their surface. Examples of this are in the trachea and kidneys.

Adamatzky said his team will develop control techniques and a range of algorithms that will allow the transport system to recognise and correctly move objects. For example, the system will need to sense properties such as shape, sort common characteristics, ensure objects are facing the correct direction and move them into the correct path of travel.