The Bionic Handling Assistant Is Like an Elephant's Trunk

The bionic handling assistant was inspired by the strong, sensitive and flexible noodle that hangs in the middle of an elephant's face. The arm is made from a soft material that can mould itself around any object, even if it's extremely fragile. It has three fingers which are also inflated and deflated with compressed air to make them move. This means the fingers have no problem picking up something as delicate as an egg or as thin as a blade of grass - just like an elephant can. In the next episode we'll be hearing how the suckers of a squid have inspired materials which could repair themselves but really repair themselves.