Scientists have developed a robot that shows how early terrestrial animals began moving about on mud and sand 360 million years ago. Early land animals likely did not have precise control over their limbs, and the tail may have compensated for that limitation, helping the animals ascend sandy slopes. "Most robots have trouble moving on terrain that includes sandy slopes," said Dan Goldman, an associate professor in the Georgia Tech School of Physics. "Our robot model was only able to climb sandy slopes when it similarly used its tail in coordination with its appendages," he said. Researchers applied the principles to a robot model known as MuddyBot that has two limbs and a powerful tail, with motion provided by electric motors.

Source: dna July 11, 2016 09:33 UTC