Innovative WorMa Robot Pumps Water From Head to Tail to Cross Land, Steps, and Water
Assistant Professor Nana Obayashi and PhD student Daniil Filimonov built WorMa, a five-segment, worm-like robot that pumps water between reservoirs in its head and tail to shift its weight without changing its gait. Loading the head gives it enough grip to climb a 19.5-degree incline and clear a 15-centimeter step, while loading the tail lets it swim 26% faster and 52% more efficiently.
