Thomas Endlein

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Glasgow

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About

Thomas Endlein is a leading biomechanist whose research illuminates the adhesive and locomotor strategies of climbing animals, with profound implications for bio-inspired robotics. His work centers on the biomechanics of adhesion, friction, and locomotion in arboreal species, particularly tree frogs and geckos. In his highly cited 2018 study (35 citations), Endlein investigated how tree frogs navigate curved surfaces, revealing the critical interplay between adduction forces and surface roughness—a key insight for designing climbing robots. His 2014 analysis of gecko kinematics (17 citations) demonstrated how these reptiles adapt their gait and limb posture across varying inclines, offering a blueprint for agile, wall-scaling machines. By dissecting the mechanical principles behind nature’s most adept climbers, Endlein has advanced our fundamental understanding of biological adhesion while providing engineers with data-driven solutions for synthetic adhesives and climbing robots. His work bridges biology and engineering, making him a pivotal figure in the field of comparative biomechanics.