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Its appearance is similar to a snake, its movements resemble those of a snake, but in reality it is… a robot. In early April, Puitevin researchers from the group Co-biotic, bioengineering and robotics for help (CoBRA, aptly named) launched a prototype robotic snake into the water for the first time in a specially designed pond at Technopol Futuroscope. . The result is amazing. “This is the first robot in the world without a rigid joint, which allows it to perform smooth movements,” emphasizes Med Professor Amin Laribi, head of the group attached to the Prime Institute. Containing a battery, motors and electronics inside, it can float completely independently. Therefore, waterproofing is also a big problem. “To achieve such a resemblance, roboticists were inspired by real snakes and vipers studied by the Center for Biological Research of Chize (De Sèvres). With the help of herpetologist Xavier Bonnet, they provided the reptiles with markers throughout their bodies. Using ultra-sensitive cameras, the scientists then captured images of their movements to better simulate them (our video can be found at le7.info). Remember! Previously, the sports gestures of basketball players PB86 or even figure skater Brian Joubert have already been deciphered in this way. “We are now comparing the movements of the robot and a real snake, the first results are very favorable. » Towards a new way of moving This work, funded by the National Research Agency, is being carried out by several doctoral students, one of whom, Eli Gautreau, is directly associated with the CoBRA team. Around them, an interdisciplinary consortium of experts in biology, physics, fluid mechanics and robotics is working on this issue.