When it comes to developing robots for underwater explorations, it's safe to say that mimicking fish is the most common choice thus far. But Cecilia Laschi of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa believes the better alternative to conventional robots and machines used for the purpose is something not exactly fish-like in appearance. To be able to reach into tight spaces and every nook and cranny of coral reefs, she believes the best design would be that of an octopus.

Octopus legs are thin and flexible and can reach places larger machineries can't. But to be able to fully mimic a real octopus, the robotic counterpart will have to have no solid skeleton. In fact, this concept currently under development is slated to become the very first soft robot, in case it does come to fruition. "So we are replicating the muscular structure of an octopus by making a robot with no rigid structure - and that is completely new to robotics," says Laschi. The robotic octopus will be fitted with artificial muscles made of silicone rubber and nerves that will serve as its inner structure. Of course not everyone is optimistic of its development, with a cephalopod expert calling the plan "a bit crazy." Nevertheless, developers are positive that the plan is possible in spite of the fact that no tentacle has yet been built.