Paleontologists are using robots to study the behavior of extinct species. OroBot, a robot modeled after Orobates pabsti, a creature from 280 million years ago, helped researchers understand its gait. OroBot, scaled up to 1.4 meters, was built using CT scans of fossils and off-the-shelf parts. It walked on a treadmill, revealing that Orobates likely moved like a modern caiman, suggesting advanced terrestrial locomotion 50 million years earlier than previously thought. Ammonite robots tested in pools showed that shell shape influenced swimming ability, with narrower shells providing stability and wider ones offering maneuverability. A robotic fish, inspired by modern ambulatory fishes, explored how ancient marine animals transitioned to land. Lastly, Rhombot, mimicking a pleurocystitid, demonstrated that these creatures likely used a sweeping tail motion for propulsion, with longer tails being advantageous. These robotic models provide insights into the movement and behavior of extinct species, enhancing our understanding of their lifestyles and evolutionary paths.
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