Rob Beschizza
Gear

Robot Walks On Water. Multiplying Loaves, Curing Lepers To Come In Q4 Firmware Update

The Basilisk lizard can run across water. Jesus can do likewise. Researchers at CMU have created a robot that can run across water, based on the Basilisk lizard. Therefore, the robot is Jesus. “By slapping and stroking their feet into the water, the lizard effects a momentum transfer which provides both forward thrust and lift […]

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The Basilisk lizard can run across water. Jesus can do likewise. Researchers at CMU have created a robot that can run across water, based on the Basilisk lizard. Therefore, the robot is Jesus.

"By slapping and stroking their feet into the water, the lizard effects a momentum transfer which provides both forward thrust and lift ... After optimization, two-legged models can experimentally provide 12-15 g/W of lift, while four-legged models can provide 50 g/W of lift. This work opens the door for bipedal and quadrupedal robots to become ambulatory over both land and water..."

pdfA Novel Water Running Robot
Inspired by Basilisk Lizards [Floyd et al via Slashdot]