It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a robo-puffin?

MIT and EPFL engineers have developed a hybrid vehicle that can both fly and swim, drawing inspiration from seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels. The prototype, called the FAAV (Flapping‑Aerial‑Aquatic Vehicle), weighs less than 300 g and consists of a central body, two flexible wings, and a powered tail that can be angled to lift or dive. Inside the hull is a sealed battery and electric motor that drives a crankshaft, producing wing motion at predetermined frequencies. The wing membranes are coated with hydrophobic nanoparticles to aid water expulsion.

In trials conducted in a tank and on Lake Geneva, the team led by assistant professor Raphael Zufferey identified combinations of wing size, beat rhythm, and tail position that enable a smooth transition between swimming and flying. Medium‑sized wings proved optimal, offering the necessary flexibility underwater while maintaining enough stiffness to stay aloft. A 70‑degree angle proved effective for taking off from the surface without legs.

This advancement opens the door to drones capable of exploring hard‑to‑reach oceanic areas, collecting samples, and transmitting data quickly, thereby cutting costs and increasing measurement frequency. The ability to operate both in air and underwater could transform how oceanographers and marine biologists study remote ecosystems.

Read the original article on MIT Technology Review

This summary is an informational synthesis produced by dataqbs.com. All rights to the original content belong to its author and the cited media outlet. We act solely as curators of technology news and claim no authorship.