Ripple bugs inspire a novel propulsion system

Submitted by Tanya Sullivan on Fri, 08/22/2025 - 16:41

Ripple bugs in the genus Rhagovelia have fans on their feet that open underwater. The fans are used like an oar to maneuver as agilely as many flies do in the air. In this photo, the fan and claw are pointing downward and are reflected in the water surface, which acts like a mirror. Photo credit: Victor Ortega-Jimenez

Research out of the lab of assistant professor Victor Ortega-Jiménez and collaborators show how wing-like fans on the feet of ripple bugs inspire a novel propulsion system for miniature robots. Read the full Berkeley News article.