Disney may have allowed us to see Dumbo the elephant fly, but observing how real elephants run could be far more useful for vets and the designers of robots.
Using motion-capture technology, John Hutchinson and his colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College in London have recorded the three-dimensional movements of elephants’ bones and joints as they walk at various speeds. While Hutchinson’s immediate goal is a better understanding of elephant locomotion, learning more about their joints and coordination should help roboticists design more agile walking robots capable of carrying large loads.
The elephants themselves could also benefit. Vets may be able to use the motion-capture technique to diagnose health problems in the animals, such as osteomyelitis or arthritis.
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