A team of researchers at the University of Würzburg, Germany, is developing innovative rover wheels inspired by the sandfish skink, a lizard adept at moving through sand as if swimming. Led by Professor Marco Schmidt, the project is part of the VaMEx initiative under the German Aerospace Centre. Traditional wheeled designs often struggle on soft ground, but the new wheels, which mimic the sandfish's movement, generate both longitudinal and lateral forces, enhancing performance on sandy terrains. Initial tests showed that while earlier designs were heavier and narrower, leading to slippage, the latest versions are lighter and wider, significantly improving their ability to traverse sand. The wheels leave distinctive sinusoidal tracks, confirming the effectiveness of the design. However, challenges remain as Mars rovers must also navigate rocky and mixed terrains. The next ESA mission, the Rosalind Franklin rover, set to launch in 2028, will not use these wheels as its design is already finalized. A subsequent mission in 2035 may incorporate the sandfish-inspired wheels if they prove successful.