Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 14 hrs ago
Worm-like robot shifts its weight to cross land, climb steps and swim
Researchers at New York University developed WorMa, a worm-like robot designed to move across rugged coastal terrain and through water.
It is about 20 inches long and uses a pump to move water between tanks in its head and tail.
Shifting the water changes where its weight is concentrated, helping it adapt without switching to a different way of moving.
With more weight at the front, WorMa can climb slopes and pull itself out of water; with more at the back, it swims faster and more efficiently.
The robot also shifts its weight in stages to clear steps up to about six inches high.
In tests, it crossed a course with flat ground, a step, a slope and open water.
The team says the design could help with environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection, and is working on faster pumps and sensor-based controls.
Researchers at New York University developed WorMa, a worm-like amphibious robot that shifts its weight to move across land and water.
The robot moves water between tanks in its head and tail to change its center of mass.
In tests, WorMa climbed slopes, cleared steps up to 6 inches high and swam faster with its weight shifted toward its tail.
Researchers designed the robot to navigate rugged coastal terrain that can challenge conventional wheeled or legged machines.
- Who
- Researchers at New York University, including a team at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering.
- What
- They developed WorMa, a worm-like robot that shifts water between its head and tail to redistribute its weight and move across varied terrain.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026; the testing date is not stated.
- Where
- New York University developed the robot. Testing included a course with flat ground, a step, a slope and open water.
- Why
- To help robots navigate rugged terrain and transitions between land and water that can challenge conventional machines.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Name
- WorMa
- Length
- About 20 inches (50 centimeters)
- Weight
- Slightly more than 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram)
- Water shifted
- About 10.6 ounces (about 300 grams)
- Step height
- Up to 6 inches (15 centimeters)
What people are saying
What it gives you is a robot that doesn’t need to be redesigned every time the terrain changes. That could matter for environmental monitoring or infrastructure inspection, where a robot may need to cross dry ground, obstacles, and water during the same mission.
Sources
Related news
Jonathan the tortoise’s gene switches may offer clues to long life
South Korea forecast to turn colder and windier on Wednesday
Forecast puts possible global warming by 2100 at up to 5.7°C
Fire ant nest found at freight centre in Sydney’s inner west
Medieval teeth show lead mining spread in England by the 7th century
Review finds broader evidence of human-caused climate change
Chinook salmon return to habitat opened by removal of four Klamath River dams
Mostly stable, summer-like weather forecast across Spain on Tuesday
El Niño drives record Pacific hurricane strength and longevity
Fossil study suggests animal life may be 200 million years older
Vienna team demonstrates a self-stabilizing thorium nuclear clock
