Okay looks cool, but what can this robot actually do? I get the concept and the mechanics, but it’s not obvious what the practical capabilities are. Is it meant as a research platform for soft robotics, a demo of compliant movement, or does it have any specific real-world tasks in mind like inspection, underwater sensing, or manipulation? I’m curious what the intended application is beyond the technical novelty.

How does it handle lack or inertia? To float it must be very lightweight, so every time the kids hit it it will go and colide with the walls.

PS: If you have a small kid, helium balloon are a super nice present. Wrap them in paper for an additional surprise. Remember to give it to the children in a closed room.

Full article with more pictures and a video at the end: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3745900.3746080

It does look cute. I could imagine something like this being at children's museum or something.

W̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶p̶a̶n̶i̶o̶n̶s̶h̶i̶p̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶f̶f̶e̶c̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶a̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ We see potential uses in ads is where this is probably going...

Reminds me of the Festo AirPenguin: https://youtu.be/jPGgl5VH5go?si=01RbG22bteL001QI

Helium filled eh? I don't think this is a good idea.