ROBOTURTLE

A robotic turtle could help engineers build better autonomous underwater vehicles and answer fundamental questions about how prehistoric beasts swam. The robot, called Madeleine, is already helping researchers understand when it is best to swim with four flippers and when to use two.

Robo-turtle answers some flippery questions (New Scientist)

There is video.

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A ROBOT THAT RUNS OVER WATER

A robot that can speed across the surface of water like a lizard could open the door for multi-legged amphibious robots.

The Water Runner, being developed by assistant professor Metin Sitti at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, could search for victims in flooded disaster areas, be equipped with biochemical sensors to monitor water quality, or use tiny cameras to survey coastline security zones or ports.

Sitti, who also heads the university’s NanoRobotics Lab, regularly takes inspiration from bugs, beetles, and bacteria to build his robots.

Ultimately, he’d like to create a machine that can move over land, water, fly and perhaps even climb.

Robot Runs Over Water (Discovery)

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