This Worm Robot Pumps Water Between Its Head and Tail to Cross Land, Steps and Water

NYU Tandon School of Engineering's WorMa is a worm-like robot that adapts to land and water by pumping internal water between tanks in its head and tail, shifting its center of mass. The 50 cm, roughly 1 kg robot has five links, with a central pump moving about 300 g of water.

Moving the water forward improved traction on slopes, while shifting it toward the tail made swimming faster. To climb steps, the robot moved the water from head to tail and back again while changing posture, allowing it to clear steps up to 15 cm high.