Engineers have knocked off another important point in mankind’s technological progression – building a robot that is almost immortal.

Strong and supple was the aim for Cornell University’s latest creation.

The new shape-shifting soft robot can traverse adverse environmental conditions including snow, puddles of water, flames, and the crushing force of up to a tonne.

The joint effort from engineers at Cornell and Harvard Universities has been detailed in an upcoming edition of the journal Soft Robotics. An early online edition can be found here. 

The pneumatically powered, fully untethered robot has been given its incredible reliance through the careful selection of materials and composites, including silicone elastomer.

The soft robot can carry more than its own weight and its designers say its surprising strength could have implications for search and rescue missions.