Mechanical devices for snail-like locomotion

We have constructed two mechanical snails, Robosnail I and Robosnail 2, inspired by the propulsion mechanisms of live gastropods. Hach uses a different mechanical strategy to move on a thin layer of viscous fluid. Robosnail I uses a flexible flapping sheet to generate lubrication pressures in a viscous Newtonian fluid which in turn propels the snail. Robosnail 2 uses a compressible sliding sheet on a layer of Laponite, a non-Newtonian, finite-yield stress fluid.