For any robot that keeps getting stuck in the sand, help is on the way. Scientists have engineered a droid that mimics the locomotion of desert animals, allowing it to traverse loose terrain with ease. If perfected, the new design should keep the next wave of robots--earthbound and planetary explorers alike--rolling across dunes at a good clip. Anyone who has tried to drive across stretches of soft-packed sand knows how quickly the attempt can end up hopelessly mired. Even dune buggies, jeeps... (source: sciencenow.sciencemag.org)
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