Bionic penguin takes to sea - and sky

27 Apr 2009, 9:07 pm   -   Source: SBS/New Scientist
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German scientists have developed a bionic penguin which swims – and unlike its real-life counterparts – also flies.

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German scientists have developed a bionic penguin which swims – and unlike its real-life counterparts – also flies.

The robot is designed to move and look like the sea bird it imitates underwater, while a larger, helium-filled air-borne version guides itself with 3D sonar.

The fin design is based on that of a fish says Markus Fischer of Festo, head of Festo’s corporate design team.
Fibres around the side of the robot penguin's head are connected to motors inside the body which pull them to twist the penguin's neck in any direction, New Scientist magazine reported online.

Festo has adapted the design for industrial use the magazine said. It had made an arm-like tool with a gripper on the end which can twist up to 90° in any direction.

The same company also unveiled a swimming robotic jellyfish last year, while a European research group had also begun work on a bionic octopus, New Scientist reported.

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