This comprehensive review investigates how biomimetic mechanisms inform engineered systems that adapt to the user and environment during use, marking a shift from aesthetic imitation to functional compliance. By synthesizing a curated evidence base of 52 key studies, this work identifies four investigation domains: (i) biomorphic structures, (ii) compliant material systems, (iii) computational modelling via AI and digital twins, and (iv) integrated ergonomic-sustainability evaluations. Our analysis reveals a technical continuum dominated by Passive Compliance (59.6%), while identifying significant translational bottlenecks in closed-loop adaptive verification. To address these gaps, the study introduces a functional taxonomy and the Nautilus Model as a maturity framework for iterative, knowledge-preserving design. Furthermore, a set of benchmark tasks (e.g., 100 Hz adaptation, 500,000-cycle durability) is established to support the validation of future co-evolutionary, eco-centric products. This synthesis establishes a new research agenda that integrates biological self-organization with rigorous ergonomic verification.
Gerolimos et al. (2026) studied this question.