Centripetal-force robots that roll, swim, and soon fly

Clemson University researchers develop unique robots that use spinning masses to generate motion in multiple environments.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Researchers at Clemson University are building robots that rely on centripetal force rather than complex joints, legs, or propellers to move. The approach uses an unbalanced spinning mass inside each robot to generate motion, allowing the robots to roll, jump, swim, and soon fly. The team sees these robots as physical expressions of mathematics rather than traditional machines packed with motors and software.

Why it matters

This novel approach to robotics could lead to highly versatile and energy-efficient robots capable of navigating a wide range of environments, from rough terrain to underwater to the air. The potential applications include tasks like monitoring lakes and oceans, inspecting pipes and ducts, and even planetary exploration.

The details

The robots use an off-center spinning mass to create forces that push, lift, or twist the robot's body. This allows for a range of capabilities, including a wheeled robot that can jump, a fish-like robot that swims efficiently, and a pipe-crawling robot. The team is now working on insect-inspired flying robots that would use the same spinning-mass principle to power their wings. The researchers see this approach as a way to create robots that are more focused on the underlying physics and mathematics rather than complex software and electronics.

  • The Clemson University research team has been developing these centripetal-force robots over the past several years.
  • The team recently received a three-year grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to support their work on building insect-inspired flying robots using the spinning-mass concept.

The players

Phanindra Tallapragada

A mechanical engineering professor at Clemson University who is leading the research team developing the centripetal-force robots.

Prashanth Chivkula

A graduate student at Clemson University who helped develop the swimming robot.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of robotics today is perceived as designing something with motors, microcontrollers, machine learning and AI– and less importance is given to the dynamics and math, at least in the public perception.”

— Phanindra Tallapragada, Mechanical engineering professor

“I want to be a roboticist, and that's what motivates me every day– to make robots that do something useful in the world.”

— Prashanth Chivkula, Graduate student

What’s next

The Clemson University research team plans to continue developing their insect-inspired flying robots that use the spinning-mass principle to power their wings, with the goal of creating highly versatile robots capable of navigating a wide range of environments.

The takeaway

By focusing on the underlying physics and mathematics rather than complex software and electronics, the Clemson University researchers are developing a new class of robots that can move in unique and energy-efficient ways, opening up new possibilities for applications in areas like environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and planetary exploration.