Scientists have created a four-legged robot resembling a starfish that can sense damage to its body and, on its own, think up a way to recover, such as limping to favor an injured leg.

It generated on its own a new concept of its structure, accurately sensing it had been altered, and then devising a new way to walk using a different gait to compensate for the injury.

The research has practical implications for sending robots that can adapt to unforeseen circumstances to explore other worlds or the ocean floor.