Engineers Develop Flapping Robot Capable of Both Swimming and Flying, Inspired by Diving Birds

Researchers at MIT and EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, have designed a novel robot that can seamlessly transition between swimming underwater and flying through the air, mimicking the capabilities of diving birds like puffins. The robot features a body, two wings with hydrophobic membranes, and a motorized tail, allowing it to adapt to the vastly different densities of water and air. This breakthrough in robotics and advanced materials could lead to new types of amphibious vehicles.