Bio-Inspired Water Strider Robots with Microfabricated Functional Surfaces

Abstract

Motivated by highly optimized working principles of small insects, we have been studying the surface-tension-based locomotion on the surface of water. Various kinds of supporting legs with microfabricated hydrophobic surfaces were developed using MEMS techniques, and the force balance between the stationary legs and the surface of water was clarified both theoretically and experimentally. Two kinds of non-tethered water strider robots with microfabricated supporting legs were developed, and autonomous locomotion on the surface of water was demonstrated. Actuation utilizing resonant vibration was effective in simplifying the mechanisms for miniature mobile robots. Dynamic analysis of the locomotion on the surface of water is left for future research. Locomotion that depends on surface tension force provides miniature robots with efficient mobility on shallow water. In the near future, such robots with microsensors and wireless communication devices can potentially be used for entertainment and environmental monitoring, such as water quality surveys.