Papers
7
Total Citations
200
H-Index
6
About
Nick Rowe is a pioneer in bio-inspired soft robotics, drawing deep insights from climbing plants to design a new generation of autonomous, growing robots. His core research areas include plant-inspired robotics, soft material systems, and adaptive locomotion in unstructured environments. Rowe’s most influential work, the 2024 paper on a “growing soft robot” (75 citations), demonstrates a climbing plant–inspired robot capable of navigating complex 3D terrains by extending its body, a breakthrough for exploration and colonization of difficult spaces. He also introduced cactus-inspired design principles (53 citations), using 3D-printed hydrogel-elastomer systems to create robots that anchor and adapt like *Selenicereus setaceus*. His 2020 study on mechanical innovations of climbing cacti (29 citations) revealed functional traits—such as microspines and searcher shoot diversity—that enable attachment to variable substrates with minimal contact force. With over 200 total citations, Rowe’s work bridges biology and engineering, offering energy-saving movement strategies for robots. His achievements include advancing soft robotics beyond traditional locomotion, enabling machines to “grow” through obstacles, and establishing a new paradigm for autonomous navigation in unstructured environments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Lianas14 citations · 2018
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- 7Energy-saving movement strategies in animals and plants for robot design3 citations · 2025