Build a robot that can swim frogs

Japanese scientists have created a robot that can swim like humans. This success could open up the prospect of using robots in rescue and maritime patrol operations.

>>> Video: Robot can swim frogs

A team of scientists from Tokyo Technological University (Japan) has successfully created a robot, named Swumanoid, able to swim back and swim school. In the future, the robot can perform a breaststroke if it is modified in the leg.

Swumanoid robot

According to the Daily Mail, the Swumanoid robot was created using 3D scanning technology that makes it possible to perfectly simulate the body of a standard swimmer. In addition, the robot is equipped with 20 computer-controlled water-based motors, capable of simulating swimming.

Dr Motomu Nakashima and his associates hope Swumanoid will be able to act as a rescue and maritime surveillance robot and help swimmers drown.

Aside from aspiring to be a marine rescue robot, Swumanoid is also used to help with swimming research. Due to the current technology it is difficult to record the movements of underwater swimmers and it is difficult for them to accurately replicate a move many times for the expert to study.

These limitations can be overcome with the Swumanoid robot, which helps researchers analyze swimming movements to improve athlete performance in competitions.