A new kind of robot swims the seas and soars the skies
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Researchers have developed a new kind of robot, one that flies through the air, swims through the water and transitions between the two realms. Such a robot may one day be used to monitor our coastlines. NPR's Ari Daniel visited the lab where one of the inventors works.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL CHIMING)

ARI DANIEL, BYLINE: Hi.

RAPHAEL ZUFFEREY: Hey. Good to meet you.

DANIEL: Raphael Zufferey ushers me into his lab at MIT. A giant tank is filled with bright turquoise water. There are small flying robots perched everywhere I look. One's flapping its wings.

(SOUNDBITE OF MECHANICAL WINGS FLAPPING)

DANIEL: These devices are inspired by diving seabirds like the Atlantic puffin, which uses its wings to both fly and swim.

ZUFFEREY: These puffins solve this really challenging task of moving in air and water despite the huge difference in density.

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