Octopus Arms Display Remarkable Agility, Revealing New Insights into Intelligence and Robotics
BREST, FRANCE – New research analyzing detailed video footage of octopuses has revealed a surprising level of coordination and specialization in how they use their eight arms, offering clues to their intelligence and possibly inspiring the next generation of flexible robotics. Scientists have long known octopuses are remarkably intelligent invertebrates, but the granular detail captured in these videos is providing unprecedented insight into how they accomplish complex tasks.
The study, published in Scientific Reports on May 13, 2024, demonstrates that octopus arms aren’t simply interchangeable tools. Researchers observed that while all arms are capable of any action,the front arms are used 61% of the time for actions requiring precision - catching,lifting,lowering,or curling – while the rear arms are more frequently employed for locomotion,such as supporting the body or performing a “treadmill-like” movement called the “roulis.” This front/rear institution is a previously undocumented aspect of octopus movement.
Researchers meticulously analyzed the movements of octopuses,finding that multiple actions could be combined concurrently on a single arm or across adjacent arms,showcasing extreme agility.”these demonstrations of versatility and adaptability interest far beyond biology,” says kendra Buresch, co-author of the study. “They could inspire neuroscience, sensory ethology and robotics in particular to design robots with flexible appendages with equally breathtaking agility.”
The findings challenge previous assumptions about octopus limb control, revealing a nuanced system where arms specialize while retaining the capacity for versatile action. Unlike other animals, octopuses don’t exhibit a preference for right or left arms, but this clear front-to-back division opens a new “window” into how they orchestrate their appendages. The research team hopes these insights will not only deepen our understanding of octopus intelligence but also pave the way for advancements in robotics, potentially leading to the creation of more adaptable and efficient machines.
