After closely examining the biological mechanisms being used by water striders, mechanical engineers from Seoul National University have created a robotic insect that can jump on water. The researchers have replicated the movements of the insect in a simple, ultra-light robot.

The research paper published in the journal Science has unveiled that there are high chances that it could someday be used in surveillance missions. In comparison to jump on solid ground, it is quite tough to jump on water, as it is not only trickier, but a lot of force is needed in the surface tension.

Researchers have tried to replicate the mechanism being used by water striders, but they failed to do so. Water striders are able to jump on water as they can on land with the help of their long, thin legs. Using them, they push off using a small amount of torque.

Once they take off, water striders rotate their legs and increase torque, which provides them to take light high enough to complete the jump while maintaining the surface tension of water.

"Although several small-scale robots inspired by the water strider have demonstrated the ability to float and locomote on water by partly or fully using surface tension, none of them jumps on water", read the study.

Study researchers have stated that their main aim of conducted the study was to understand and then replicate the mechanism used by water striders.