Bill skin detects touch: platypus

1 of 2 Platypus monitoring / Melbourne Wa.. / License

The bill skin of the platypus and echidna detects tactile stimulation via the push-rod, thought to be a type of mechanoreceptor.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Touch and mechanical forces

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Human-computer interaction sensors for tactile response, for common application, driving, or gaming applications.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The other prominent receptor in the bill skin of both the platypus and echidna is the 'pushrod,' which is thought to be a mechanoreceptor responding to tactile stimulation." (Fowler and Miller 2003:279)

About the inspiring organism

Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat(s): Forest, Wetlands

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Human-computer interaction sensors for tactile response, for common application, driving, or gaming applications.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Computer, auto, gaming

References

Fowler, ME; Miller, RE. 2003. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.

Bill skin detects touch: platypus

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