Robots That Swim, Crawl, and POWER Themselves

Imagine a jellyfish gliding effortlessly through water, powered not by traditional batteries but by its own “robot blood.” Sounds like sci-fi? Think again. Cornell University researchers just dropped a game-changing innovation: bio-inspired robots powered by a hydraulic fluid battery. This isn’t just tech—it’s a revolution in robotics.

The Secret Sauce: Hydraulic Fluid as a Battery

At the heart of this breakthrough is the redox flow battery (RFB), a system that mimics biological functions. It releases electrolytic fluids that dissolve to create energy through chemical reactions. But here’s the kicker: the hydraulic fluid does double duty. It powers the robot AND provides the force to move it. Talk about efficiency!

“We’re the first to use hydraulic fluid as the battery, which reduces the overall weight of the robot. The battery serves two purposes: providing energy and enabling movement.”

Professor Rob Shepherd, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University

Meet the Jellyfish: A Robot That Swims Like the Real Deal

This isn’t your average robot. The jellyfish bot is built on technology inspired by a lionfish robot developed in 2019. Back then, researchers called the circulating liquid “robot blood.” Now, the RFB acts like a robot heart, powering a tendon that propels the jellyfish upward when flexed into a bell shape. When relaxed, it sinks down. The result? Fluid, lifelike movements that could fool even marine biologists.

The Worm: Modular, Adaptable, and Ready to Crawl

Not to be outdone, the worm robot is a modular masterpiece. Each segment contains a motor and a tendon actuator that expands and contracts to create locomotion. Think of it as a high-tech, bio-inspired snake robot. But here’s the twist: transitioning from water to land was no easy feat. Submerged robots don’t need rigid skeletons, but land-based ones do. As Professor Shepherd puts it:

“This is how life on land evolved. You start with the fish, then you get a simple organism supported by the ground. The worm is a simple organism, but it has more degrees of freedom.”

Professor Rob Shepherd

Why This Matters: Lighter, Faster, Smarter Robots

This isn’t just about cool robots. It’s about redefining what’s possible. By integrating power sources into the robot’s body, Cornell’s team has slashed weight and cost while boosting performance. The jellyfish bot now runs for an hour and a half—a massive leap in runtime. And the modular worm? It’s a blueprint for adaptable, multi-terrain robots of the future.

The Future Is Fluid

Cornell’s hydraulic fluid-powered robots are more than just a scientific achievement—they’re a glimpse into the future of robotics. From underwater exploration to disaster response, these innovations could change the game. So, the next time you see a jellyfish or a worm, remember: the robots are coming, and they’re powered by something extraordinary.