New RoboBee Robot Can Fly, Hover and Swim Underwater (VIDEO)

First Posted: Oct 21, 2015 05:53 PM EDT

Researchers have created the first-ever insect-like robot that can both fly and swim. Called the RoboBee, the new robot could pave the way for aerial and aquatic vehicles.

The biggest challenge for a robot that can handle both air and water is conflicting design requirements. Aerial vehicles require large airfoils like wings or sails to generate life. Underwater vehicles, in contrast, need to minimize surface area to reduce drag.

In order to solve this issue, the researchers looked at puffins. These birds are one of nature's most adept hybrid vehicles, employing similar flapping motions to propel them through both air and water.

"Through various theoretical, computation and experimental studies, we found that the mechanics of flapping propulsion are actually very similar in air and in water," said Kevin Chen, one of the researchers, in a news release. "In both cases, the wing is moving back and forth. The only difference is the speed at which the wing flaps."

In this latest study, the researchers designed the RoboBee, a microrobot smaller than a paperclip. It can fly and hover like an insect, flapping its tiny wings at 120 times per second. In order to go underwater, it hovers over the water at an angle, momentarily switches off its wings, and then crashes into the water. Then, the robot lowers its wing speed to nine flaps per second, allowing it to swim underwater.

While the robot can transition from air to water, it can't transition from water to air-yet. With that said, the researchers are currently working on this next phase of research.

The findings could be huge for larger vehicles and robots. However, research is still ongoing for creating a better insect robot.

Want to learn more? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.