# Researchers print a swimming robot with six light-powered muscles

_Published Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:03 PM EST · Robotics, Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Frog schematic — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/7b9bba7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1050+0+225/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F54%2F3ba21e6c4ebfa9a2843bb5a87a47%2F3d-printed-frog-hero.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

Researchers at Aarhus University and the University of Luxembourg built a frog-shaped robot whose six artificial muscles coordinate to propel it without a motor, battery or wires, New Atlas reported. The prototype weighs less than a gram; its muscles and soft silicone body were printed in a single run.

Pulses of near-infrared light heat the liquid crystal muscles, making them contract; cooling lets them lengthen. Changes to muscle attachments and joint shape enabled the legs to drive water backward. The robot crossed about 80 millimeters in 1 minute 54 seconds on average.

It requires evenly distributed light pulses to swim straight, and water draws heat away from its muscles. Steering one leg at a time remains a proposed improvement.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/technology/3d-printed-frog-swims-powered-by-light/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/wkLpmNqKcYzALTNHt6pR0s
Published: 2026-11-14T00:03:37.258Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-13T23:03:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-14T01:42:34.801Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)