MIT and EPFL unveil a robot that swims and flies like a puffin
Engineers at MIT and EPFL have developed a robot capable of both swimming and flying, inspired by the behavior of puffins and gulls. The "flapping-wing aerial-aquatic vehicle" (FAAV) could open new possibilities for cost-effective ocean exploration and data collection in hard-to-access areas.
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30 SEC SUMMARY
- Engineers at MIT and EPFL have developed a lightweight robot, the "flapping-wing aerial-aquatic vehicle" (FAAV), capable of both swimming and flying.
- The FAAV weighs less than 300 grams and uses hydrophobic wings to transition between water and air.
- The robot’s design could enable cost-effective ocean exploration and data collection in hard-to-access areas.
- Experiments were conducted in lab tanks and at Lake Geneva to test its capabilities.
- Researchers are now focused on improving wing design and testing under turbulent conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- MIT and EPFL engineers created the FAAV, a robot that can swim and fly, weighing less than 300 grams.
- The robot’s wings are coated with hydrophobic nanoparticles to repel water and optimize transitions between water and air.
- Unlike many diving birds, the FAAV does not require feet to transition from water to air.
- The FAAV was tested in a water tank and at Lake Geneva to validate its performance.
- Potential applications include data collection and sampling in dangerous or remote aquatic regions.
- Researchers are working on improving wing flexibility and testing the robot under turbulent conditions.
What the FAAV can do
According to MIT Technology Review, engineers at MIT and EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, have developed a robot called the "flapping-wing aerial-aquatic vehicle" (FAAAV). The device is designed to both swim underwater and fly in the air, inspired by the behavior of birds like puffins and gulls.
The FAAV weighs less than 300 grams and features a central fuselage, two flexible wings, and a steerable tail. Its wings are coated with hydrophobic nanoparticles to repel water, enabling smoother transitions between aquatic and aerial environments.
How the robot transitions between water and air
The FAAV’s wings were tested in varying sizes and flexibilities to determine the optimal design for transitioning between water and air. According to MIT Technology Review, medium-size wings with specific flexibility proved most effective for this purpose.
Unlike many diving birds, the robot does not rely on feet to transition from water to air. This design choice simplifies its mechanics and could improve reliability in real-world conditions.
Testing and potential applications
The robot was tested in a controlled water tank and later at Lake Geneva to assess its performance in natural conditions. These experiments aimed to validate its ability to operate in both aquatic and aerial environments.
Researchers suggest the FAAV could enable new methods for ocean exploration and data collection, particularly in areas that are difficult or dangerous for traditional vessels to access. Its lightweight design and dual capabilities could make it a cost-effective tool for scientific and industrial applications.
Next steps for development
The team is now focused on refining the FAAV’s design, including developing wings that can both flap and turn. According to MIT Technology Review, future testing will also involve exposing the robot to turbulent conditions to assess its stability and durability.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
The FAAV represents a meaningful step forward in robotics, particularly for applications requiring versatility across multiple environments. For founders and operators in marine technology, aerospace, or field robotics, this project highlights the potential of biomimicry—designing systems inspired by nature—to solve complex engineering challenges.
The robot’s ability to transition between water and air without additional limbs or mechanisms could reduce complexity and maintenance costs, making it an attractive option for remote or hazardous environments. However, its current limitations—such as the need for further testing under turbulent conditions—suggest that commercial viability may still be some distance away. Teams working on similar hybrid systems should watch this project closely, as its progress could inform their own design decisions or reveal new use cases.
Key takeaways
- Biomimicry can inspire innovative solutions for complex engineering problems, as demonstrated by the FAAV’s puffin-inspired design.
- Lightweight, multi-environment robots could reduce operational costs for data collection in remote or hazardous aquatic regions.
- Testing under real-world conditions—like those at Lake Geneva—is critical for validating performance and identifying design refinements.
- Founders in robotics or marine technology should monitor advancements in hybrid systems, as they may unlock new applications or markets.
- Simplifying mechanical requirements (e.g., eliminating the need for feet to transition between environments) can improve reliability and reduce maintenance needs.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- MIT Technology Review · 2026-10-20
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This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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