Meeting Abstract
Elongate, limbless body plans are widespread in nature and frequently converged upon (with over two dozen independent convergences in Squamates alone, and many outside of Squamata). Despite their lack of legs, these animals move effectively through a wide range of microhabitats, and have a particular advantage in cluttered or confined environments. This has elicited interest from many disciplines interested in many aspects of their movements, from how and when limbless morphologies evolve to the biomechanics and control of limbless locomotion within and across taxa to its replication in elongate robots. Increasingly powerful tools and technology enable more detailed examinations of limbless biomechanics, and a combination of fossil discoveries and improved phylogenies have shed increasing light on the origins and evolution of limblessness, as well as the high frequency of convergence. Advances in actuators and control are increasing the capability of “snakebots” to solve real-world problems (e.g. search & rescue), while biological data has proven to be a potent inspiration for improvements in snakebot control. This symposium brings together prominent researchers on the topic from around the world, including biomechanists, physicists, and roboticists to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas across disciplines and across taxa. The goal of this symposium is to identify major gaps in current knowledge and methods, promote links between biological and robotics researchers, and coordinate efforts to move the field as a whole forward. Support generously provided by the Company of Biologists and the Society for Experimental Biology.
