Abstract

Full, R.J., Earls K., Wong, M. A., Caldwell, R.L. 1993. Locomotion like a wheel? Nature 365, 495.

Introduction

Since the time of Sumer, our conception of efficient movement has been shaped by the wheel. Vehicles using wheels are efficient because they result in smooth rides. Wheel-like rides are possible even when legs are used for locomotion. Engineers, realizing the advantage of legged locomotion, have built many-legged robots that also minimize repeated accelerations and decelerations. Despite the efficiency of wheel-like motion, animals do not have wheels, possibly because the formation of a wheel-like structure is biologically problematic and wheels are not necessarily advantageous on all surfaces...

The small stomatopod Nannosquilla decemspinosa is found on the sand beaches of the pacific coast of Panama. We videotaped the somersaulting of this shrimp-like crustacean to see if it moved like a true wheel.