A Chinese DIY engineer has become an internet sensation after 3D-printing an amphibious robot that can walk, swim, fly, and even launch miniature missiles in a spectacular demonstration of modern ingenuity. This innovative product emphasizes the increasing strength of 3D printing, which has come a long way from its initial stages of plastic prototyping to now being a game changer in many industries, such as aerospace, medicine, and robotics.
The robot, which is shaped like a tortoise, has six legs (two front legs and four back legs) that provide it with a stable gait and the capability to run over rough terrains with ease. This machine waddles where wheeled robots fail. Its land mobility is only the start.
The robot has three strategically located rotors, two on the sides and the other at the back, which enables it to switch between air and water with ease. When in flight mode, the rotors assume an upright position to produce lift and provide stability. When in water, the two side rotors rotate to a horizontal position with the rear rotor remaining vertical to enable it to swim forward like a powered aquatic drone.
However, what went viral online was the fact that the robot surprisingly became a launcher of missiles. The engineer demonstrated the robot in a popular demonstration video walking through puddles, flying across open air, swimming through water, and eventually shooting small projectiles. This last aspect has been the source of a great deal of speculation regarding the possible military uses of such technology—particularly in an era where autonomous drones are increasingly coming to the fore.
The engineer designed every part of the robot and had it produced by a commercial 3D-printing service. The printed components were shipped to his house, where he built and programmed the bot himself.
This viral invention is an impressive demonstration of how easy high-tech prototyping and robotics have become. It is also an expression of wonder and alarm at what can be done when consumer tools are combined with ambitious engineering—and a realization that there is no longer a clear distinction between hobbyist projects and tomorrow’s military technology.