A 30-gram robot has achieved an incredible feat by jumping over 30 meters in height at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The robot, which is about 30 centimeters in size, was developed by scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara. The researchers were inspired by the jumping abilities of insects and other animals, and they used carbon fiber bows to create a prototype that could be used for expeditions in difficult terrain or even on moon missions.
The scientists initially studied the natural jumping strategies of insects and other animals, which are based on the tension of linear muscles. However, this was not ideal for building a jumping robot, so they opted for an electric motor that could exert stronger forces through rotational movements. The prototype was made up of carbon fiber bows that could be repeatedly tensioned with reinforcing rubber bands. The best design consisted of two thin carbon fiber bows that could be tensioned like two crossed bows with an electric motor. The tension of the bows could be gradually increased using a lever that engaged a gear, and the structure was stabilized with rubber bands.
When the scientists released the tension lever, the robot quickly accelerated within nine microseconds to a speed of 28 meters per second, reaching an impressive height of 33 meters. The robot converted a specific energy of about 1,000 joules per kilogram, which is much higher than the most powerful jumpers in nature, who can only achieve a specific energy of up to 170 joules per kilogram. The researchers estimate that the robot could jump up to half a kilometer on the moon, allowing for exploration of much larger regions than is currently possible with Mars rovers.
In conclusion, the jumping robot developed by scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara has achieved an impressive feat by jumping over 30 meters in height at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The robot was inspired by the jumping abilities of insects and other animals, and it could be used for expeditions in difficult terrain or even on moon missions. The robot’s design consists of carbon fiber bows that can be repeatedly tensioned with reinforcing rubber bands, and it is stabilized with rubber bands. The robot’s jumping abilities could allow for exploration of much larger regions on the moon than is currently possible with Mars rovers.
