Quantum mechanics

Robot

Engineering

Ecology

Aerospace engineering

Biology

Materials science

Marine engineering

Electrowetting

Computer science

Drag

Climb

Robot control

Geology

Oceanography

Quadrupedalism

Paleontology

Crawling

Physics

Nanotechnology

Dielectric

Anatomy

Mobile robot

Environmental science

Robot locomotion

Artificial intelligence

Underwater

Terrestrial locomotion

Buoyancy

Surface tension

Mechanics

Optoelectronics

Nature Communications

Several animal species demonstrate remarkable locomotive capabilities on land, on water, and under water. A hybrid terrestrial-aquatic robot with similar capabilities requires multimodal locomotive strategies that reconcile the constraints imposed by the different environments. Here we report the development of a 1.6 g quadrupedal microrobot that can walk on land, swim on water, and transition between the two. This robot utilizes a combination of surface tension and buoyancy to support its weight and generates differential drag using passive flaps to swim forward and turn. Electrowetting is used to break the water surface and transition into water by reducing the contact angle, and subsequently inducing spontaneous wetting. Finally, several design modifications help the robot overcome surface tension and climb a modest incline to transition back onto land. Our results show that microrobots can demonstrate unique locomotive capabilities by leveraging their small size, mesoscale fabrication methods, and surface effects.

Controllable water surface to underwater transition through electrowetting in a hybrid terrestrial-aquatic microrobot