Highlighting the importance of applying improved versions of the processes we observe in living organisms to robotics, Jonathan's talk features an example of this way of thinking via the Row-bot. Based on the water boatman, an aquatic insect that feeds on algae and dead plants, the Row-bot is a tiny robot that powers itself by swallowing dirty water.

Jonathan is a Professor of Robotics, and head of the Soft Robotics group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory. Jonathan highlights the importance of applying improved versions of the processes we observe in living organisms to robotics. One example of this way of thinking can be found in the Row-bot. Developed at Bristol and based on the water boatman, an aquatic insect that feeds on algae and dead plants, the Row-bot is a tiny robot that powers itself by swallowing dirty water.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx