In the realm of robotics, the quest for lifelike movement has always been a tantalizing enigma. While machines have excelled in precision and efficiency, they have struggled to capture the organic elegance that animals effortlessly possess. 

The challenge lies in deciphering the intricate geometry, kinematics, and kinetics of animal locomotion and translating it into a mechanical framework of joints and cables. It is a fusion of engineering and design, where the laws of nature intertwine with human ingenuity.

The implications of achieving animal-like movement in machines extend far beyond the realm of robotics. It opens up a world of possibilities in human-machine interaction, where machines seamlessly integrate into our lives, becoming companions, assistants, and even therapeutic aids. Imagine a robotic creature that moves with the grace of a feline, providing comfort and solace to bedridden individuals. Picture a collaborative robot that effortlessly adapts to human gestures, enhancing productivity and safety in our workplaces. The potential for societal impact is boundless.

At the heart of the bionic robot project lies the concept of biomimicry, a design framework that draws inspiration from the natural world to create innovative solutions. In the quest to replicate the fluidity of feline movement the need for the mechanism to be flexible and responsive to obstacles, just like its living counterparts, was recognized.  

Create a tangible robotic mechanism that will enable a safe human-robot interaction.

Develop a method of cat movement measurement.

The first and main challenge of the described project is the cat itself. With its skeletal flexibility and the agility of the muscles of the body, and with all its wealth of possibilities for movement. Recreating such a masterpiece requires a deep understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the feline musculoskeletal system.

Sonia Litwin: responsible for the design and development of the kinematic mechanism, sketches and CAD modeling, and high-fidelity 3D printed prototypes. Analysis, comparison, and development of code for motion analysis methods.Interviews with researchers and potential users.Team management and collaboration with Festo Application Center Warsaw, Festo Bionics Esslingen Germany.

Klaudia Woźniak: Calculations of kinematics and kinetics equations, Men-Robots-Collaboration constraints and requirements for actuators and materials properties. 

Mariusz Olszewski: Supervision of the project, advice and guidance.

Teams at Festo Application Center Warsaw, Festo Bionics Esslingen Germany: technical support, expert advice, mentoring, and access to facilities and materials.