Engineers from Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne have developed a shape-shifting robot called GOAT, designed to navigate extreme outdoor landscapes. The multimodal robot can reconfigure between a flat rover shape and a sphere, allowing it to switch between driving, rolling, and swimming. This adaptability enables GOAT to overcome obstacles and find the most efficient path, even in uncharted terrain. GOAT's ability to morph into different shapes allows it to save time and energy. For example, it can passively roll downhill as a sphere or swim straight through streams. The robot relies on a satellite navigation system and an orientation-measuring device to find the optimal route, eliminating the need for complex sensing systems. This unique approach enables GOAT to leverage its environment and find the best path with limited knowledge of the terrain. The development of GOAT is part of a broader effort to create robots that can match the versatility of animals in navigating complex terrain. Researchers hope to further refine GOAT's algorithms and enhance its ability to accommodate payloads of different sizes. With its advanced capabilities, GOAT has the potential to be deployed in a variety of applications, from exploration to search and rescue missions.