Insects offer scientists a way to create ultra-fast swimming robots

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American scientists from Cornell University in New York state have discovered the swimming principle of spinnerbugs – small aquatic insects that live mainly in tropical regions. The discovery could contribute to the creation of very fast robots and unmanned vehicles for the aquatic environment. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Current Biology (CB).

The body length of representatives of the pinwheel family does not exceed one centimeter, but they have no equal among their species in swimming speed. The insect can reach speeds of 100 meters per second and swim at one meter per second.

Previously, biologists believed that these insects moved in water by pushing with their claws, that is, using traction based on the resistance of the environment. However, calculations showed that for this, the creatures had to move their limbs incredibly fast.

Using high-speed cameras, the researchers filmed the work of the spinners’ legs in the water and concluded that the insects depend on another type of traction, namely traction by levitation. To do this, spinners place their legs on the water surface at a certain angle.

“We can say that the insect’s legs move like a propeller, being part of the revolution at a certain angle, retracting, returning to its original position and being part of the revolution again. This angle of attack allows the insect to generate lift. “A similar principle is used in aviation when tilting the wing of an airplane,” explained study leader and professor of environmental engineering Chris Roe.

According to the scientist, the discovered principle of the locomotion of spinning insects could help engineers design unmanned and robotic floating vehicles that reach tremendous speeds.

Previous scientists optimized Controlling a cyborg cockroach using AI.

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