Whoever thought design engineers would look to nature for inspiration? You’d be surprised.
Whether it’s artificial intelligence, mechanics, or sensory input, engineers take a page from animals — including humans. Robots may be objects made of metal and wire and plastic, but in many cases, they can move, communicate, solve problems, and even strike up a relationship. Which raises other questions: Can you love a robot in the way a young child loves a special stuffed animal? And can a robot love you? The answers may not be as clear as they seem.