Case Study: Georgia Tech advances elephant trunk biomechanics research with MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink

Demystifying the Mysteries of Elephant Trunk Biomechanics

Georgia Tech, a prominent research university, sought to explore the long-standing mysteries of elephant trunk biomechanics, a field with significant gaps in knowledge due to the immense challenges of studying such large, powerful animals, with the goal of inspiring advances in soft robotics and supporting conservation efforts. To tackle this, they partnered with MathWorks and utilized MATLAB and Simulink for data analysis and visualization.

By implementing MathWorks software, the Georgia Tech team was able to import and visualize force plate data on the spot at the zoo and use MATLAB to track, analyze, and create all the graphs for their groundbreaking study. This MathWorks solution allowed them to discover that elephants can inhale at remarkable speeds and use delicate suction with minimal force, leading to a major publication and widespread media coverage. The measurable impact of this research provides a new foundation for biomimicry in soft robotic design and offers critical insights that could improve veterinary care and strengthen conservation strategies for elephants.

Georgia Tech

Andrew Schulz

Student