The Anatomy of Locomotion (02:07)

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Anatomists used to only dissect animals and look at their skeletons to understand how they moved. Martin Fischer realized that this wasn't enough and started to study how muscles and bones interact to create movement.

Martin Fisher's X Ray Machine (02:52)

A scientist has found a way to use a giant X ray machine to examine the interaction of bones, tendons, and muscles in live animals in motion. This allows him to see the animals through completely different eyes and determine the limbs' exact position during even the tiniest moment in their locomotion.

Exploring Biological Mysteries (06:17)

The dose per recording low. This new method allows Martin Fisher to examine all details with regard to locomotion, running, jumping climbing. Even a regular rat is very versatile. The combination of super slow mo and X ray recordings from different perspectives enables the scientists to explore even complex locomotion in minute detail.

Does it Make Sense for Science to Duplicate Nature? (05:50)

Zoologists and engineers should work together to create robots that imitate animals. Locomotion is very complex, so most of these robots tend to look more ridiculous than threatening.

Locomotion Study (05:00)

Scientists studied the locomotion of dogs and found that all dogs walk the same. They also created an animation of how a dog moves which can be used to help vets, breeders, and trainers.

Veterinary Graphics (02:34)

Veterinary medicine is benefiting from Martin Fisher's innovative work in robotics and engineering. His textbooks are more detailed and precise, and they allow vets to better treat animals. Fisher also uses his knowledge to develop new ideas and connect with other scientists.

Tracks of Dinosaurs (03:23)

A scientist is looking for dinosaur footprints in a quarry near Gotha, Germany. He's been working there for 30 years and has found some significant fossils, including a complete skeleton of a protozoan.

Extinct for 300 Million Years (03:03)

The zoologists looked at live animals that are similar to their ancestor in order to explore the locomotion of an animal that has been extinct for 300 million years.

X Raying the Protozoan (06:24)

The article discusses how Martin Fischer's team is using a special scanner to study the movement of a protozoan fossil, and how the results may help us understand the origins of human locomotion.

Runner's Trick (03:45)

Humans have a natural ability to adjust to minor disturbances while walking, which is confirmed by the experiment with the pit. This ability is due to the interaction between the legs and upper body, which stabilizes the runner perfectly. The scientists also examined the human back with healthy patients and ones with back pain.

Evolutionary Biologists (00:00)

The back muscles have not changed in structure in the past 6 million years, meaning that back pain is not due to evolution. Additionally, the abdominal muscles are often weak in patients with back pain.

Cradle of Modern Biology (05:11)

The National Museum of Natural History in Paris is a place where biologists can learn about the anatomy of animals, and how their bodies have evolved to allow them to move in different ways.

Martin Fischer: Science as Art (01:58)

Martin Fisher is a scientist who also loves art. In 2015, he collaborated with an artist to create a giant panoramic film from his recordings for an art festival. Fisher hopes to push back boundaries and create new things with his research and to promote the beauty of locomotion.

Credits (00:35)

Credits