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New Soft Snake Robot Can Burrow Through Sand and Soil

Inspired by nature, driven by innovation – this snake-like robot is set to revolutionize underground work.

In today’s world, robots are more than just machines — they are problem solvers, explorers, and helpers. Many modern robots are inspired by animals, insects, and reptiles to perform specific tasks. From flying like birds to swimming like fish, engineers are creating machines that mimic the natural world. One of the most fascinating robotic inspirations comes from the slithering snake.

Snake-inspired robots have already been developed for underwater missions, such as fixing deep-sea pipelines. These robots are flexible, smooth-moving, and surprisingly lifelike, thanks to ancient Japanese paper craft techniques. However, until now, snake robots have struggled with one major challenge — burrowing underground through sand or soil.

That’s about to change.

A Groundbreaking Invention: The Soft Snake Robot

Engineers from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have created a soft snake robot that can burrow underground. Unlike earlier versions of snake robots, this one can move swiftly and precisely under the earth’s surface, opening up new possibilities for underground exploration.

Published in Science Advances, their study presents an exciting breakthrough in robotics and soft materials. This robot could be used to collect soil samples, install underground pipelines, and even explore areas that are too dangerous or small for humans.

The Big Challenge: Moving Through Earth

Burrowing underground is not as simple as it sounds. Movement through sand or soil is completely different from swimming in water or flying in air. Soil is a dense, heavy, and constantly shifting material. A robot moving underground must be strong enough to push through it, but flexible enough to adapt to changes and avoid getting stuck.

The research team had to solve many difficult problems:

  • How do you stop the robot from floating upwards?

  • How can it move forward without damaging itself or the environment?

  • What kind of shape and motion is best for moving through soil?

Through careful design and testing, the team overcame these problems using a creative combination of biology, physics, and engineering.

The Inspiration: From Sandfish Lizards to Vine Plants

One of the keys to this robot’s success was biomimicry — the practice of copying designs found in nature. The engineers looked closely at sandfish lizards, reptiles that are expert burrowers in sandy deserts. These lizards use their pointed snouts and special body movements to slide easily under the surface.

The team also found inspiration in how some plants grow, especially vines. Like vines, the robot grows from its tip — a process known as tip extension. Instead of pulling itself along the ground, the robot adds new material at the front, pushing forward in a smooth and continuous motion.

This growth-based movement allows the robot to burrow without disturbing its surroundings too much, making it ideal for delicate environments.

How It Works: A Closer Look at the Design

The new soft snake robot might look simple on the outside — it resembles a white sock puppet — but it’s packed with smart technology inside.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Tip Extension: The robot extends only from the front, just like a vine. This keeps the rest of the body stationary while the head moves forward.

  2. Air Jet System: A small device blows air in front of the robot’s growing tip. This air moves sand and soil particles out of the way, clearing a path.

  3. Front Wedge: Inspired by the snouts of sandfish lizards, a wedge is attached at the front. It helps cut through the soil and makes the robot’s movement more efficient.

This combination allows the robot to burrow smoothly, avoid obstacles, and change direction as needed.

Why This Matters: Real-World Applications

This soft snake robot isn’t just a cool science experiment — it has the potential to solve real-world problems.

Here are a few important uses:

  • Soil Sampling: Farmers and scientists often need underground data about soil quality and moisture. This robot could collect those samples with minimal disturbance.

  • Underground Installation: Laying cables, water pipes, or sensors underground can be expensive and messy. This robot could do it quietly and efficiently.

  • Disaster Rescue: After earthquakes or landslides, reaching trapped people underground is dangerous. This robot could navigate tight spaces to locate or even assist victims.

  • Planetary Exploration: In the future, versions of this robot could be used on the Moon or Mars to explore beneath the surface and gather valuable information.

The Science Behind It: Learning About Granular Physics

As the robot moves underground, it interacts with what scientists call granular media — materials like sand, soil, or gravel. These are tricky substances because they can act like solids, liquids, or gases depending on how they are disturbed.

Studying how the robot moves through these materials can help scientists learn more about the physics of granular motion, which has applications in construction, mining, agriculture, and even food processing.

Daniel Goldman, the Dunn Family Professor of Physics at Georgia Tech, believes this invention could not only help engineers but also inspire new animal studies. Understanding how a robot moves through sand could lead to fresh discoveries about burrowing animals and how they evolved.

Soft Robotics: The Future of Flexible Machines

The snake robot is part of a larger movement in engineering called soft robotics. Unlike traditional robots made of hard metal and plastic, soft robots are made of flexible materials like rubber, silicone, and fabric. They are safer, more adaptable, and better suited for working in tight or unpredictable environments.

Soft robots are already being used in:

  • Medical devices, such as robotic arms that assist in surgery

  • Wearable technology, like smart suits that help people walk

  • Search-and-rescue missions, where their flexibility allows them to squeeze through rubble

The snake robot adds to this list with its unique ability to burrow, opening up a whole new area for soft robotics.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Snake Robot?

While the current version of the robot is still in the testing stage, the research team is optimistic about the future. They are working on improvements like:

  • Making the robot faster and more energy efficient

  • Adding sensors to collect underground data

  • Designing different versions for different types of soil and terrain

There’s also interest from industries like agriculture, environmental science, and construction, where underground work is common. With further development, this robot could become a standard tool in many fields.

Conclusion: Slithering Toward a Smarter Tomorrow

The new soft snake robot is a perfect example of how science, engineering, and nature can come together to create something truly groundbreaking. By borrowing ideas from lizards and plants, and combining them with cutting-edge robotics, engineers have opened up a new way to explore the underground world.

Whether it’s helping farmers, saving lives, or digging beneath alien worlds, this snake robot is proof that big things can come from simple, nature-inspired designs. As we look to the future, it’s clear that soft robotics will play a major role — and this flexible, burrowing robot might just lead the way.

Reference: Nicholas D. Naclerio et al., "Controlling subterranean forces enables a fast, steerable, burrowing soft robot.", Sci. Robot.6, eabe2922(2021). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abe2922

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