Paleo-Robots Offer New Insights into Evolutionary Transition from Water to Land

University of Cambridge researchers use robotics to explore how ancient fish developed the ability to walk on land.

Researchers are creating robotic analogues of ancient fish skeletons to study their locomotion on land.
The project aims to fill gaps in fossil records by simulating the anatomy and movement of extinct species.
Paleo-inspired robots mimic the muscles and ligaments of ancient fish, informed by modern walking fish like mudskippers.
Experiments will assess energy efficiency and movement patterns to test theories of evolutionary biology.
The research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding major evolutionary transitions and inspire cross-disciplinary collaborations.