In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists at the University of California in Santa Barbara have developed a tiny robot that has broken the record for the highest jump. The robot, which is only 30 centimeters tall and weighs 30 grams, reached a height of 32.9 meters, surpassing the jumping ability of all known animal species. The robot, which resembles a rocket, was designed with inspiration from biology, and its jumping mechanism is based on the principles of insects such as fleas and grasshoppers.
The robot’s jumping mechanism is based on a spring made of four carbon fiber bows connected by stretchable tendons. When the bows compress, the tendons stretch, storing energy that is released when the robot jumps. Unlike muscles, which generate more force when they contract more slowly, the spring can release its energy almost instantaneously, resulting in a higher jumping force and height. The robot’s jumping ability is close to the theoretical maximum that can be achieved with current materials and electric motors.
According to the researchers, the robot’s jumping ability could be even greater on the moon, where the lower gravity would allow it to jump up to 125 meters and cover a distance of up to 500 meters in a single jump. The robot’s jumping ability could have applications in fields such as search and rescue, where it could be used to access hard-to-reach areas. The research was published in the journal Nature and has attracted widespread attention for its potential to revolutionize the field of robotics.
