Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a flexible foot pad for the 'Hopcopter', a one-legged hopping robot, significantly enhancing its performance on challenging terrain. The new design enables the robot to traverse sand, ice, and other difficult surfaces with improved efficiency and accuracy.
DirectHop, a 1-gram robot, can perform multiple hops in sequence and jump high enough to clear a standard stair step with single centimeter accuracy. The robot uses a tiny electric motor and three folding legs to launch itself to a specified jump height, and can twitch to right itself after landing for another jump.
A new robotic system utilizes twisting elastic rods to produce powerful, repeatable motions, enabling small robots to hop, flip, and swim across challenging terrain. The snapping mechanism stores and releases built-up energy, allowing a small, low-power motor to trigger rapid movements.
The robots use torsion to store elastic energy and release it all at once, causing them to jump and repeat the process as long as they are exposed to infrared light. Design changes can control the movement, such as jumping forward or leaping vertically.
Research published in Scientific Reports found that ancient giant kangaroos could withstand the strain of hopping due to robust hindlimbs. The study's findings suggest that these animals were unlikely to rely solely on hopping for locomotion over longer distances, but may have used short bursts of hopping to evade predators.
Researchers designed a hopping robot based on studies of leaping squirrels, which can stick a landing on narrow perches. The robot uses strategies similar to those employed by squirrels when landing, including directing force through the shoulder joint and grasping the branch with its feet.
A study by University of Bristol scientists reveals that ancient large kangaroo Protemnodon was a poor hopper and likely moved mainly on four legs. The research confirms previous findings on the anatomy of Protemnodon's humerus, showing it habitually put more weight on its forelimbs than modern kangaroos.
Researchers reveal alternative locomotion methods used by extinct kangaroos, including striding on two legs and traversing on all fours. These findings suggest that large-bodied kangaroos were not only specialized in endurance-hopping but also had diverse gaits.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a latch control system that enables grasshopping robots to perform efficiently on soft substrates. The team discovered that the latch can not only regulate energy output but also mediate energy transfer between the robot and its environment, leading to improved jump performance.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a unique jumping behavior in the larvae of a species of beetle, where they curl into a loop and leap forward. The mechanism behind this behavior is distinct from other insects that rely on a latch-mediated spring actuation mechanism.