A new robot that moves just like a salamander has been created by engineers . The robot , called Pleurobot , walks and swims in a life-like way that mimics the shy amphibious creatures . It was developed by recording 3D X-ray videos of short-ribbed salamanders - Europe 's largest salamander - allowing researchers to track 64 points on the animal skeleton . Scroll down for video . The robot , called Pleurobot , ( pictured ) walks and swims in a life-like way that mimics the shy amphibious creatures . It was developed by recording 3D X-ray videos of short-ribbed salamanders - Europe 's largest salamander - allowing researchers to track 64 points on the animal skeleton . Scientists behind the robot , which has 27 movable joints , believe it could be used to help palaeontolgists understand how extinct animals like the dinosaurs moved . A video released by Google 's Boston Dynamics sparked complaints after an engineer kicked one of its dog-like robots to show off its ability to remain upright . Viewers said the robot had been mistreated and claimed the employees were being cruel . It sparked a debate about whether it was possible to be cruel to a robot . Ethicists and robotics experts waded into the argument to explain the only way it could be unethical would be if the robot could feel pain . Others pointed out it is impossible for robots to have feelings . They say as it is able to cope with a range of different terrain and squeeze through relatively small spaces , the robot could also be used to help search for people trapped in disaster zones . And they added that the robots highly flexible spine also allows it to swim in water , but only if it is given a waterproof skin . Professor Auke Jan Ijspeert , a researcher at the biorobotics laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne ( EFPL ) , has been leading the development of the robot . According to the group 's website : 'Because of its low centre of mass and segmented legs it can navigate over rough terrain without losing balance . 'With a waterproof skin it can also swim . 'Those features may one day enable Pleurobot to help in search and rescue operations . 'On the other hand , salamanders are a good living analog for the first tetrapods that made the transition from water to land . 'In the future , we plan to use Pleurobot 's design methodology to bring early tetrapods to `` life '' . ' Its engineers say that because it is able to cope with a range of different terrain and squeeze through relatively small spaces , the robot ( pictured ) could be used to help search for people trapped in disaster zones . Salamanders are remarkable creatures capable of regenerating limbs and researchers at University College London ( UCL ) recently identified the biological pathway involved . Called ERK ( Extracellular signal-regulated kinases ) , the pathway must be constantly active for salamander cells to regenerate - a process not seen in the same way in other mammals . Although a long way from achieving the same feat in humans , the discovery could help researchers unlock the ‘ regenerative potential ’ of cells across other animals . Scientists behind the robot , which has 27 movable joints , believe it could be used to help palaeontolgists understand how extinct animals like the dinosaurs moved . A short-ribbed salamander is pictured .
Engineers studied how sharp-ribbed salamanders move using X-ray videos . They released video showing the robot moving in a remarkably lifelike way . The robotic salamander is able to walk and swim just like the real creature . Called Pleurobot , it has 27 joints capable of moving independently . It could be used to help study how extinct creatures like dinosaurs moved . The robot could also be used to access difficult terrain in disaster zones .