The robot’s design is based on the Hawaiian apple snail, which uses the undulating motion of its foot to drive water surface flow and suck in floating food particles.
 
Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists have developed a robot prototype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas, and lakes. The robot’s design is based on the Hawaiian apple snail (Pomacea canaliculate), a common aquarium snail that uses the undulating motion of its foot to drive water surface flow and suck in floating food particles.
 
 

Image: James Thomas, Unsplash