HybriBot moves on the soil (IMAGE) Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT Caption HybriBot combines the oat fruit appendices with an artificial component. The oat appendices react to the presence of moisture with movements. They rotate, intersect, and accumulate elastic energy, which, when released, moves the capsule. Their movements continue until the plant creeps into a fissure in the ground where it stops, allowing the seed to germinate. HybriBot's movement is not supported by batteries or other additional energy sources. Credit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia/University of Freiburg Usage Restrictions use with appropriate credit and caption License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.