Robots that look like dogs or people try to replicate symmetrical shapes found in nature. But engineers at Duke University are taking a different approach. They’re focusing on uniformity in action or what they call “dynamic symmetry.” The result is Argus. The roly-poly robot has depth-sensing cameras attached to 20 telescoping legs radiating from a central core. With no front, back, top or bottom, it can see and move in any direction instantly. Argus can navigate sandy beaches and rough terrain. It can even climb between parallel brick walls. Researchers hope the design principles behind Argus can be used to develop other types of robots.