Cycling the heat on and off allows the robots to adjust speed and even change direction — proof that controlled, repeatable motion is possible at this tiny scale
Two prototypes were developed. Representation pic. Pic/Getty Images
Tiny robots inspired by insects could soon glide across water, scouting flooded areas, monitoring pollutants, or collecting samples. Researchers at the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science created two prototypes that show what’s possible. HydroFlexor, paddles across water with fin-like motions, while HydroBuckler, “walks” forward using buckling legs, mimicking the gait of water striders. Powered in the lab by an overhead infrared heater, these robots bend and move as their layered films respond to heat. Cycling the heat on and off allows the robots to adjust speed and even change direction — proof that controlled, repeatable motion is possible at this tiny scale.
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