Robots are learning to walk through mud and slippery surfaces, all thanks to feet designed like those of moose.

Scientists at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) have developed a new type of robot foot inspired by the split hooves of moose.

These feet help robots move more easily on challenging terrains like muddy fields, wet snow, and marshes.

This breakthrough, published in the journal Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, could open up new possibilities for robots to work in nature, agriculture, and even disaster response.

For years, researchers have studied how robots walk, making them more energy-efficient and adaptable.

While robots can now handle many types of ground, muddy and slippery terrains have remained extremely difficult to navigate.

“Mud and wet surfaces are tricky even for humans and animals, so it’s no surprise robots struggle with them too,” said Professor Maarja Kruusmaa, head of the TalTech biorobotics team.

“This has kept robots out of many important places, like wetlands, coastal areas, and muddy fields.”

Inspired by his observations on a cattle farm in France, Simon Godon, a doctoral student at TalTech, combined his background in engineering and biorobotics to create high-tech hooves for robots.

He based the design on moose hooves, which have a unique ability to expand and shrink as they step in and out of mud.

Tests in the lab showed that real moose hooves act like suction cups, reducing the force needed to pull their feet out of sticky mud. The key lies in the way the split hooves break the suction when lifted, making movement easier and faster.

This adaptation not only saves energy but also prevents animals, like moose, from sinking too deep and getting stuck.

To mimic this natural design, the researchers created robot feet from silicone that work the same way. When tested on muddy surfaces, these new robot feet showed impressive results. The robot sank less into the mud, the suction force was cut in half, and energy use dropped by up to 70%.

Surprisingly, the team hasn’t found any downsides to these “robo-moose” feet. In fact, they believe the design may improve stability on uneven ground, making robots even better at navigating tough environments.

“This simple change could make robots much more capable in natural terrains,” said Prof. Kruusmaa. “We think robots should always keep their shoes on!”

With this innovation, robots may soon become even more useful in areas like farming, environmental monitoring, and rescue missions.

Source: KSR.