The robot turtle measures 31.5 x 11.8 inches (80 x 30 cm) and weighs about 53 pounds (24 kg), putting it in the same size and weight class as the Kemp's Ridley or the Olive Ridley sea turtles. Researchers are starting to learn when to use two flippers as opposed to using all four. On average, Madeleine could stop in 44 percent less space using four flippers, and could reach a cruising speed of 1.5 mph (0.7 metres per second) 20 percent faster by using two.