Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos features a self-righting robotic albatross and a self-assembling modular arm for disaster recovery, plus drones aiding flood relief in Nepal.
Video Friday is your weekly selection of awesome robotics videos, collected by your friends at IEEE Spectrum robotics. We also post a weekly calendar of upcoming robotics events for the next few months. Please send us your events for inclusion.
This week's lineup includes a robotic "flying boat" that tumbles, recovers, and glides away, a modular robotic arm that assembles itself for disaster recovery, and drones deployed in the aftermath of flooding in Nepal. As we move through 2026, these demonstrations highlight how bio-inspired design, modular self-assembly, and rapid aerial response are converging to make robots more resilient and useful in unpredictable environments.
Robotic Albatross: Fall, Spin, Self-Right, and Sail Away
This robotic "flying boat" isn't passenger-sized, but it's still pretty nifty. Developed by the AIR Lab at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, the robotic albatross combines aerial and aquatic locomotion. In the video, it falls, spins, self-rights, and then sails awayβdemonstrating a level of physical resilience that could be valuable for long-duration missions over water.
Credit: AIR Lab, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Self-Assembling Modular Arm for Disaster Recovery
Researchers have demonstrated a modular robotic arm that can self-assemble from individual segments. This capability is particularly promising for disaster recovery scenarios, where a robot might need to reconfigure itself to navigate rubble, reach confined spaces, or replace damaged modules without human intervention. The system underscores a broader 2026 trend toward robots that can adapt their morphology on the fly.
Drones in the Aftermath of Nepal Floods
In Nepal, drones have been used in the flood aftermath to support damage assessment, search and rescue, and delivery of supplies. The deployment illustrates how aerial robotics continues to mature as a practical tool for first responders, especially in regions where ground access is limited or dangerous.
Thanks to everyone who sent us tips this week!