~!~ Water striders, a species of semi aquatic insect, can jump on water. Mechanical engineers from Seoul National University have properly examined the biological mechanisms used by the species and have then develop a robotic insect that can jump on water like water striders. (ukcanadaus)
~!~ The research paper published in the journal Science has unveiled that there are high chances that it could someday be used in surveillance missions. In comparison to jump on solid ground, it is quite tough to jump on water, as it is not only trickier, but a lot of force is needed in the surface tension. (ukcanadaus)
~!~ Researchers have tried to replicate the mechanism being used by water striders, but they failed to do so. Water striders are able to jump on water as they can on land with the help of their long, thin legs. Using them, they push off using a small amount of torque. (ukcanadaus)
~!~ Its 5 cm long wire legs are curved at the tips like a real water strider's and coated with a material that repels water// A flea inspired jumping system called a torque reversal catapult, launches the robot from the surface of the water up to 14//2 cm in the air, which is similar to water striders// (ukcanadaus)
~!~ **Looking at nature is a good starting point to improving robot systems because they have already optimised their behaviour through millions of years of evolution,** said co lead author Je sung Koh from Harvard University// (ukcanadaus)