Engineers develop a bird-scale flapping robot for aerial-aquatic travel

Researchers have developed a new kind of robot that flies through the air, swims through the water, and transitions between the two realms.

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What happened: Researchers have developed a new kind of robot that flies through the air, swims through the water, and transitions between the two realms.

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Source attribution: NPR Technology via npr.org. Original report: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/18/nx-s1-5885040-e1/engineers-develop-a-bird-scale-flapping-robot-for-aerial-aquatic-travel