Скачать или смотреть Robotic water strider rows itself forward by fanning feathery feet

Although we've seen several different robotic water striders over the years, scientists are still finding clever new aspects of the insects to replicate. Recently, for instance, researchers created a strider-bot that zips across the water's surface via fans on its feet.
Measuring only 3 mm long, water striders of the genus Rhagovelia really are something special.
On the ends of their two long middle legs – which are the ones they use for propulsion – there are feathery appendages that fan out upon hitting the water's surface. As the legs are then drawn back on the forward stroke, those now-underwater fans cup the water like the webs between a frog's toes, rapidly rowing the insect forward.
Upon being drawn up out of the water at the end of the stroke, the wet strands of the fan wick together into a point – sort of like the bristles of a freshly dipped paintbrush. This makes the appendage more streamlined as the leg swings back forward, on its way to execute another stroke.