Engineers created a soft robotic fish - electric blood flows in its veins!

Batteries add significant weight to robots, and this weight affects range, maneuverability,

speed and size. But if energy can be stored in components that perform dual functions in the device, this can reduce the weight of the robot and improve its performance.

This problem was solved by engineers fromCornell University - they created a 40-centimeter robotic replica of a lionfish from molded silicon. It contains two hydraulic pumps, each powered by interconnected zinc flow batteries.

One pump drives the tail, movingfluid from one part of it to the other, while another pump pumps the fluid stored in the dorsal fins to the corresponding pectoral fins.

While the robot swims rather slowly - at a speed of one and a half body length per minute. However, further development will increase its speed and maneuverability, the authors note.

Earlier, Italian IT engineers have developed a soft robot, which used a plant movement system for training. It can curl like a vine or hunt like a flycatcher!