An octopus can do something engineers still struggle to copy: control eight soft arms with no bones or fixed joints. Each arm can bend, twist, stretch, shorten, and grasp. A recent robotics study puts this challenge in engineering terms. Researchers trained one robotic controller to guide three octopus-inspired soft arms underwater.¹ The study focused on a basic problem—flexible motion works only when sensing, feedback, and control stay connected. The system must detect what the arm is doing, compare that motion with what it is supposed to do, and make corrections.

Most robot arms use rigid links joined at fixed points. Each joint moves through a known range, so motion is easier to predict. A soft octopus arm, on the other hand, can change shape along almost its entire length, based on the octopus’ movement. Ocean currents and drag also change the forces against the arm.

To explore an octopus’ range of motion, the researchers collected motion data and trained a robotic controller that guided three tendon-driven arms through different tasks and water disturbances without being retrained for each case.¹

More possible shapes mean more information for the controller to process. It had to track what the arms did and adjust its motion. Similarly, the octopus has sensory receptors and nerve tissue spread throughout its arms. Researchers have identified distinct sensory cells in the suckers that respond to touch and chemicals. These sensory cells allow the arm to gather information directly where it contacts an object.^2,3 Some of these sensory receptors can also change the strength of their response.² These details keep sensory input close to the part of the arm that is touching an object.

The robotics study copies only part of what a living octopus does. Its controller moved soft arms underwater. But the octopus must coordinate several functions at the same time, not simply produce motion like the controller did. An octopus must do that while also sensing contact, grasping objects, and changing force. Muscles, suckers, sensory receptors, and large nerve cords work together along the arm. A soft arm is useful only if its changing shape can be controlled.

The study shows what engineers must deliberately arrange to copy even part of an octopus’ performance. The researchers’ soft-arm system required coordinated structure, measurement, data, and control. The octopus combines these functions throughout eight highly flexible arms. Such an engineering feat points to purposeful design. Psalm 104:24 says, “O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.” The octopus arm gives engineers a clear example of that coordinated workmanship.

References

1. Nazeer, M. S. et al. 2026. Benchmarking Data-Driven Control of Octopus-Inspired Soft Arms in Underwater Environment. Advanced Intelligent Systems.
2. Thomas, B. How Octopus Tentacles Find Crab Dinners. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org December 14, 2020.
3. van Giesen, L. et al. 2020. Molecular Basis of Chemotactile Sensation in Octopus. Cell. 183 (3): 594–604.

* Dr. Corrado earned a Ph.D. in systems engineering from Colorado State University and a Th.M. from Liberty University. He is a freelance contributor to ICR’s Creation Science Update, works in the nuclear industry, and is a Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve.