Harvard scientists have developed a next-generation hybrid RoboBee that can fly, dive into water, swim, propel itself back out of water, and land safely. The researchers retrofitted the RoboBee with four buoyant outriggers - essentially robotic floaties - and a central gas collection chamber. Once the RoboBee swims to the surface, an electrolytic plate in the chamber converts water into oxyhydrogen, a combustible gas fuel. The gas increases the robot's buoyancy, pushing the wings out of the water and the floaties stabilise the RoboBee on the water's surface, researchers said. From there, a tiny, novel sparker inside the chamber ignites the gas, propelling the RoboBee out of the water.

Source: dna October 26, 2017 07:33 UTC