When designing a next-generation robot, engineers often look to nature for inspiration, there are helper bots designed to run like dogs and a deep sea bot that swims like a fish and gathers covert information on shy shoals. But what if I told you the most resilient and fast-moving bot was modelled on the cockroach?

Harvard roboticists have developed HAMR (Harvard Ambulatory Microrobot) to scuttle at high speeds, navigate sharp corners, carry payloads, and jump and run (eek!). It can even fall from “great distances” and continue on like nothing happened.

While this sounds creepy and will mean that only cockroaches and cockroach robots will be left come the apocalypse, these small but sturdy creatures are being designed for search and rescue missions and infrastructure inspection. I guess this means the city of the future will include roachbots scuttling up scaffolding as we zoom past in driverless cars and buses.

[ https://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2018/02/cockroach-inspired-robotOpens in new window ]