From Biological Analogs to Robotic Embodiment: A Systematic Biomimetic Translation Framework Mediated by Traditional...

Area of Science:

• Biomimetic Engineering
• Robotics
• Cultural Heritage Analysis

Background:

• A significant gap exists between biological observations and engineering applications in biomimetic design.
• Lack of intermediary models hinders the translation of complex biomechanical data into manufacturable mechanical paradigms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a systematic biomimetic translation framework using traditional crafts as Empirically Optimized Biological Analogues (EOBAs).
• To develop a quantitative assessment system for evaluating biomimetic translation feasibility and innovation potential.
• To demonstrate the framework's application in decoding cultural behaviors for robotic design.

Main Methods:

• Integration of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) for quantitative assessment.
• Evaluation of translation feasibility, innovation potential, semantic interaction, and manufacturability.
• Application to four intangible cultural heritages in Guangdong, including expert and public evaluations.

Main Results:

• The Guangdong Lion Dance showed the highest biomimetic translation potential due to its clear morphology and dynamic behaviors.
• The core principle of "embodied kinematics for communication" was extracted.
• A conceptual multi-segment biomimetic robotic prototype, "Kine-Lion", was developed.

Conclusions:

• Culturally abstracted biological behaviors can be systematically decoded into functional robotic structures.
• The proposed framework offers a methodological reference for biomimetic robotic design.
• Findings suggest broad applications in human-robot interaction and biomimetic engineering.