Hydraulic‑Powered Robot Jellyfish and Worm Showcase Cornell’s Aquatic Innovation

Cornell’s Bio‑Inspired Robots Melt the Conventional Battery Mold

Meet the Jeevers and Worms of Tomorrow

Yesterday, a team of Cornell University scientists unveiled two robotic marvels that look like nothing you’ve ever seen—one a swirly jellyfish and the other a segmented worm‑like contraption. These “living machines” aren’t just a visual treat; they’re powered by a slick, hydraulic redox‑flow battery (RFB) that channels liquid energy straight into motion.

Why the RFB is the Future’s Secret Sauce

• Double Duty – The battery doesn’t just power the robot; it applies hydraulic force, meaning you get two functions in one lightweight package.
• Biologically Inspired – Like a cell’s internal chemistry, the RFB releases electrolytic fluids that dissolve to produce fresh energy whenever you need it.
• Embodied Energy – Whole design philosophy behind this is to embed power within the robot’s body, trimming weight and saving on costs.

Engineering Brilliance (and a Dash of Humor)

Rob Shepherd, a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering professor at Cornell, framed the breakthrough as “the first time we’ve turned a hydraulic fluid into a battery. Imagine a superhero whose power source also gets the hero moving. No separate battery needed—just pure, flowing power.

Why This Matters for the World

With these robots, Cornell shows that we can mimic nature’s elegance while drastically cutting down on wasted weight. That means cleaner, cheaper (and probably more fun) robots for everything from deep‑sea exploration to everyday chores. Hard to imagine a jellyfish doing a dance routine yet—once you see these machines, the boundary between biology and bionic blurs gently, like two best friends swapping jokes.

The Tech‑Wave: Meet the Robo‑Jelly in Action

Image Credits: Cornell University

Why this robotic sea creature is causing a splash

• Half‑an-Hour Battery Life – Forget those quick‑glitch demos; this jellyfish can glide for a full 90 minutes, thanks to a slick battery upgrade.
• Built on Lionfish Magic – Cornell repurposed its lionfish‑inspired tech to give this B‑wire body a rock‑solid foundation.
• Robot Blood = Heart – When the researchers unveiled the system in 2019, they dubbed the circulating power fluid “robot blood.” That essentially makes the battery the jelly’s beating heart.

How it swims

At its core, a flexible tendon pulls the robot up whenever it flexes into a bell shape. When the shape relaxes, the jellyfish gently sinks back down. Think of it as a rhythmic dance: push up, let go, repeat – smoothly steered by the tendon’s subtle muscle.

Watch it in Action

A real‑time clip shows the jellyfish performing classic “bell‑style” motions, gliding and bobbing through water with the same effortless grace you’d expect from the real creature, only with a tech twist.

Meet the Swarm of Soft‑Worm Robots

Who invented the worm? A clever crew at Cornell University that decided “Why not build a flexible robot that looks like a snake but can tackle water and earth?”

What makes this worm so cool

• Modular make‑up – every section is a mini‑robot with a motor and a tiny tendon‑actuator that bend like a muscle.
• Full‑body swimming – the segments slide, expand, and contract to glide through water like a living sea serpent.
• Transformers on land – once the water part is done, the same body turns into a rubber‑like crawler that can squeeze into tight spots.

Challenges When the Worm Hits the Dry Floor

In the lab, the engineers found the big surprise: wet robots don’t need a hard skeleton. Because the water gives them all the support they need, the robot’s body can be made mostly of soft materials. As soon as it lands, it suddenly has to bear its own weight. The transition forces the team to rethink how to keep the worm stable on land.

Why This Matters

• Shows how soft robotics can push the boundaries of the environment.
• Sets the stage for future multi‑surface exploration – imagine underwater drones that can hop onto trucks or walk across rugged terrain.

So, if you ever see a worm swimming and then crawling, remember: it’s not just a bug—it’s a lab‑grown marvel designed by Cornell scientists to blend fluid and terrestrial adventures in one sleek, sucker‑powered package.

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

From Reef to Reality: The Grand Evolution Comedy

It’s a wild ride: “This is how life on land evolved,” our fearless guide, Shepherd, declares. “We start with the fish, then a simple organism takes the stage, and the ground provides the supportive stage. The worm is a simple organism, but it has more degrees of freedom.”

Evolution’s Big Three Act

• Fish Heist: The ocean’s first performers—swimmers with gills—steal the show.
• Simple Org’s Debut: A humble creature steps onto the land, carrying a light carpet of support.
• Worm’s Twisty Finale: With extra wiggle power, the worm flexes out of the garden, proving that simplicity can be wildly entertaining.

Why It Matters

From scales to sliders, each creature has added a new chapter to the saga of life—reminding us that evolution isn’t just a science, it’s a one‑human, widget‑world drama that keeps surprising us.