How dropping cats helps create bionic limbs

THEY are known for their agility – and for always landing on their feet.

Now cats’ ability to avoid injury in falls is being harnessed to create bionic limbs for humans.

A bizarre experiment involved cats being dropped from various heights as scientists studied how they used their bodies to reduce the force of impact.

The research found their front legs and pads act as shock absorbers and their ‘fine-tuned’ tails help them balance. A joint study from the University of West of Scotland and Ningbo University in China saw seven cats – four males and three females – dropped from 12in, 27.5in and 36in.

When the felines were dropped from 36in – three times the first height – their force of impact on landing was not even twice as great, proving they had absorbed some of this.

One researcher on this project, writing in the journal PubMed, said: ‘The unique skill the cat has for landing provides reference, inspiration and potential further research for bionic design and, or bionic movement.’

Scientists believe the experiment shows that cats use the time it takes to fall from a great height to adjust their response and reduce the force of the impact when they hit the ground.

Last night, Dr Stephanie Valentin, a lecturer at the University of West of Scotland, said: ‘The motto, “a cat has nine lives” highlights a cat’s excellent survivability from falls.

‘When the cats were jumping, the elbow of the forefoot extended, the centre of gravity of the body moved forward, and landing posture was constantly adjusted until it gradually shifted to the forelimbs. The cats subjected to a higher height had sufficient response time to adjust.’

Cats’ low weight-to-surface-area ratio also helps them hit the ground with less force.