Robot Arms with Artificial Muscles are Lightweight and Flexible

There are limits to the flexibility of both human and robotic arms. The joints are often rather bulky and connect rigid bones or mechanical assemblies. Motion is typically restricted to certain spatial directions. In contrast, an elephant trunk or an octopus tentacle offer far greater agility. The presence of tens of thousands of muscles enables these creatures to move the trunk or tentacle in all directions, to bend it to just the right degree, and to grip things with great power.