This salamander-like robot is hoped to offer clues to the evolutionary history of species. The motive abilities of the robot are based on the lamprey, an water creature. With just a few tweaks (legs), the animal is easily transformed into a land going creature -- however it still retains it's original primary movement. Someone should tell these roboticists that there are all sort of creatures known to man that show this 'in between' evolutionary mode of travel. I am primarily thinking of the snake head fish recently and accidentally released in Maryland.

Enough jadedness. Looking at biology for inspiration seems to be getting a little bit of press currently. I am reminded of a Popular Science article I read last night about using a shark fin design attached to the bottom of the ocean to generate electricity. Unfortunately, I can't find it on their website.

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