It’s true that many robots are more resilient than humans… That’s why researchers are looking for alternative models that outperform walking on two legs for getting around.
Most robotics research focuses on developing robots that can take over monotonous or dangerous jobs from humans. That’s why robot arms have been used in factories for decades, and that’s why Boston Dynamics’ robotic Spot dog took over the night shift in Pompeii, protecting the city’s ruins from thieves. But robots can be designed to outperform humans in many tasks through various mechanisms such as gears, ratchets and pulleys that can increase their power. Biological muscles may be nearly useless for many of the tasks robots can do.
Researchers from the Hawkes Laboratory at UC Santa Barbara realized that most artificial jumping robots were based on designs in nature, where animals such as kangaroos, frogs, and grasshoppers have special anatomies that exhibit incredible jumping abilities. At the same time, the power these animals can show in a single jump is limited by how much energy can be applied from a single muscle movement. Unlike superheroes, biological creatures can’t crouch dramatically, build up energy, and then launch into the sky. But robots can do them.
Despite not having a cool name yet, UC Santa Barbara researchers have developed a simple robot that takes advantage of a mechanical advantage known as a “work bump.” A small engine is paired with much larger bows made of carbon fiber strips that act like an archer’s bow. As the engine is slowly wound in a strong filament, the springs compress and squash, while a series of rubber bands wrapped around the springs stretch, adding more strength while also increasing the durability of the carbon fiber so they don’t break.
The jumping performance of the robot is believed to reach the maximum possible performance of the materials used. When the tension in the springs is released, the robot accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in just nine milliseconds, reaches an acceleration force of 315g (most people cannot withstand more than 9g), and leaps to a height of almost 30 meters. As the springs flatten and release their energy, it transforms the robot’s shape into a sleek aerodynamic arrow that increases its speed, but because it’s so light it can land back on the ground without destroying itself in the process.
Jumping over rough terrain and obstacles is much easier for a robot than trying to roll over or over it, and the robot’s abilities could come in handy even more if used on other planets with less gravity than Earth’s. Researchers estimate that in its current state, the robot can reach heights of 120 meters on the Moon and net distances of half a kilometer, thanks to reduced gravity and a lack of atmosphere…
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