Building fully flexible tail (several joints) with minimal actuation required

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by jdiwnab

I would think that attaching it to every joint would limit the movement and the amount of curve becuase you would start fighting youself, especially if you what it to curve back like in sanddrag's picture. But I might have a serious misunderstanding of what I'm talking about. It makes sence in my own head.

You may be envisioning the chain which has nearly +/- 180 dregrees of motion at each joint. Think of something that only has +/- 10 degrees. Monkees with prehensile tails can have motion that allows the tail to wrap around a limb, but to duplicate that with mechanical/electrical devices is a challenge. NASA has been working on this long and hard. A friend of mine was experimenting with "muscular motion" by stretching wire across a bladder. Inflate the bladder and the wires are pulled taut.