This Robot Helps Scientists Learn How Walking Evolved The study casts a light on how animals first m

One of the most important events in evolutionary history is the moment when animals first stepped foot (or fin) on land. Researchers at Georgia Tech decided to create a high-tech version of that event with a robot fish, in order to study the mechanics of how prehistoric fish used their limbs to crawl on land.

The robot, called MuddyBot, was designed to resemble a mudskipper, a type of amphibious fish that spends its time split between land and water. The mudskipper strongly resembles the type of fish that first crawled out of the ocean millions of years ago, so it's a prime candidate for the study.

The researchers used three methods to uncover exactly how the mudskipper travels on land: live observation, mathematical models, and of course, MuddyBot. MuddyBot attempted to crawl across a sandy pit, designed to mimic sandy beaches or muddy riverbanks, while the researchers tried different crawling methods to see which was most effective.

The scientists found that the key was in the robot's tail. When MuddyBot used its tail to propel itself forward, it moved much faster. They believe that this same motion was what allowed the first animals to crawl out of the water and onto land.