Cornell University | Snail-inspired robot could scoop ocean microplastics @Cornell | Uploaded December 2023 | Updated October 2024, 1 week ago.
Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists at Cornell have developed a robot protype 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 large, common aquarium snail that uses the undulating motion of its foot to drive water surface flow and suck in floating food particles.