A team of researchers has unveiled a groundbreaking amphibious robotic dog that seamlessly transitions between land and water environments with unprecedented efficiency and agility.
Unlike previous amphibious robots primarily modeled after reptiles or insects, this new quadruped system draws inspiration from mammalian swimming mechanics. The robot, measuring 300mm long by 100mm wide and weighing 2.25kg, was developed by scientists led by Professors Yunquan Li and Ye Chen from South China University of Technology.
The key innovation lies in the robot's AI-driven bioinspired trajectory planning system, which dynamically mimics the natural paddling gaits of real dogs. "Our robot dog's ability to efficiently move through water and on land is due to its bioinspired trajectory planning, which mimics the natural paddling gait of real dogs," explains Professor Li. "The double-joint leg structure and three different paddling gaits address previous limitations such as slow swimming speeds and unrealistic gait planning."
The research team engineered and tested three distinct paddling gaits: two doggy paddle-inspired approaches optimized for speed and propulsion, and a trot-like paddling style designed for enhanced stability. Through extensive experimentation, the doggy paddle method proved superior for speed, achieving a maximum water speed of 0.576 kilometers per hour, while the trot-like style prioritized stability. On land, the amphibious robotic dog reaches speeds of 1.26 kph.
Careful engineering of the robot's structure, including precise weight distribution and buoyancy control, ensures stable and effective performance in both environments. The team deliberately balanced the center of gravity and center of buoyancy to maintain proper orientation in water, placing heavier components like batteries and control boards near the bottom of the shell.
This versatile technology opens new possibilities for applications in environmental research, search and rescue operations, and disaster response scenarios where both land and water navigation capabilities are essential. The study, published in IOP Publishing's Bioinspiration & Biomimetics journal on May 8, 2025, represents a significant advancement in nature-inspired robotics and amphibious mobility systems.