Researchers have built an insect-sized robot that can both swim and fly. The robot has the capability to hang around and dive. Robot bee is the insect-size robot, which can make way for upcoming dual functions aquatic and aerial vehicles.

To create such a robot it needed two conflicting designs, aquatic and aerial vehicles. To fly in the air robot requires insect-like wings that can generate an upward lift and to float under water, it requires small surface area to lessen drag.

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) were able to merge both the designs and created Robbie, the first ever robot that can fly as well as swim under water.

Researchers at SEAS observed Puffin, rare bird that uses its wings to fly and swim underwater, to create this robot.

Kevin Chen, a graduate student in the Harvard Microrobotics Lab at SEAS said, "Through theoretical and experimental studies, we found that the mechanics of flapping propulsion are actually very similar in air and in water. In both cases, the wing is moving back and forth. The only difference is the speed at which the wing flaps".

By merging both the techniques, researchers developed a robot that can fly as well as swim. Harvard Robobee is a lightweight and a microrobot. It has powerful wings that can flip around 120 times per second.

Robert Wood, co-author of the study said that robots like Robobee are precious tools that can host many remarkable experiments.