MIT and EPFL engineers develop bio-inspired flying-diving robot

Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a lightweight robot capable of both flying and diving. Weighing less than 300 grams and measuring approximately half a meter in length, the device mimics the mechanics of diving birds such as gulls and shearwaters.

Inspired by nature, the robot can dive deep underwater and transition seamlessly to flight by flapping its wings to launch itself directly into the air. This capability addresses the physical challenge of moving between air and water, where water is 800 times denser than air. The research, published in the journal Science, aims to help scientists understand the mechanical processes that allow certain avian species to master both environments.

The robot features a main body, flexible flapping wings, and an adjustable tail. Through testing in tanks and natural lakes, researchers identified an optimal combination of wing size, flapping frequency, and tail angle to enable smooth transitions between swimming and aerial flight.