In the exciting world of robotics, a new invention has captured everyone’s attention: a small robot that weighs less than a tennis ball and can jump higher than any other robot before it. This article will dive into what makes this robot so special, how it works, and what it could mean for the future of exploration.
Before this robot came along, the highest a jumping robot could go was 3.7 meters, which is about the height of a one-story building. But this new robot can jump an incredible 31 meters, which is as tall as a 10-story building! Imagine it jumping from the base of the Statue of Liberty all the way up to her eyes.
For a movement to be considered a jump, it has to meet two rules:
1. The jump must start by pushing off the ground.
2. No part of the robot can be lost during the jump, so things like rockets or arrows don’t count.
Jumping is something many animals can do, from tiny sand fleas to big kangaroos. How high they can jump depends on the energy they use in one quick movement. The Galago, also known as the bush baby, is the best jumper among animals. It uses 30% of its muscle just for jumping, allowing it to leap over two meters from a standstill.
Many toys that jump, like poppers, work by storing energy in a bent shape, similar to a spring. But none of these toys can jump as high as the new robot.
The robot is small and moves so fast that it’s hard to capture on camera. It’s designed to be super efficient, especially for exploring places with little or no atmosphere, like the Moon. There, it could jump 125 meters high and travel half a kilometer forward.
The creators of the robot have made a group of these jumpers. Some can flip themselves upright after landing, ready to jump again right away. Others can be steered, using three legs that adjust to launch in different directions.
The robot is made of four carbon fiber pieces connected by elastic bands, acting like a spring to store energy. A small motor winds a string around an axle, compressing the robot and storing energy in the carbon fiber and rubber bands. When it’s fully compressed, a trigger releases the latch, and the stored energy launches the robot into the air.
The robot can go from standing still to moving over 100 kilometers per hour in just nine milliseconds, experiencing an acceleration of over 300 g’s—much more than any living creature could handle.
The robot is very light, weighing only 30 grams, thanks to its tiny motor and battery, and its carbon fiber and rubber structure. The rubber can store more energy than most elastic materials, making it perfect for jumping.
The secret to the robot’s amazing jumping ability is something called work multiplication. Unlike animals that can only use one quick muscle movement, this robot can store energy from many motor turns, allowing it to release energy more efficiently.
The ideas behind this robot’s design could change the world of robotics, especially in places where regular rovers have trouble. By using work multiplication, engineers can build robots that store and release huge amounts of energy, possibly breaking new records in jumping and exploration.
This tiny jumping robot is a great example of how engineering, physics, and biology can come together. Its ability to jump to new heights shows the creativity behind its design and opens up new possibilities for exploring beyond Earth. As technology keeps advancing, innovations like this could change how we think about robotics and what they can do in different environments.
Imagine you are an engineer tasked with designing a jumping robot. Sketch your design on paper, considering the materials and mechanisms that would allow it to jump high. Think about how you would store and release energy efficiently. Share your design with the class and explain how it works.
Using the formula for potential energy, $PE = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, and $h$ is height, calculate the potential energy required for the robot to jump 31 meters. Assume the robot’s mass is 30 grams. Discuss how this energy compares to the energy stored in the robot’s elastic bands.
Conduct an experiment using rubber bands and small weights to explore how elasticity works. Measure how far different rubber bands can stretch and how much force they can exert. Record your observations and relate them to the robot’s jumping mechanism.
Create a simple model to demonstrate work multiplication. Use a wind-up toy or a rubber band-powered car to show how energy can be stored and released. Discuss how this principle is applied in the jumping robot and why it allows the robot to jump so high.
In groups, brainstorm potential future applications for the jumping robot. Consider environments like the Moon or Mars, where traditional rovers might struggle. Present your ideas to the class, explaining how the robot’s unique features could be beneficial for exploration or other tasks.
Robot – A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer. – In our science class, we programmed a robot to navigate through a maze using sensors.
Jump – To push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one’s legs and feet. – The robot was designed to jump over small obstacles by using its spring-loaded legs.
Energy – The ability to do work or cause change, often measured in joules in physics. – The solar panels on the roof convert sunlight into energy to power the house.
Design – The process of planning and creating something with a specific function or intention in mind. – The design of the new bridge took into account the strong winds and heavy traffic.
Acceleration – The rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time, often measured in meters per second squared ($m/s^2$). – The car’s acceleration increased as it moved downhill, reaching a speed of 60 km/h in just a few seconds.
Force – A push or pull upon an object resulting from its interaction with another object, measured in newtons (N). – The force required to lift the box was calculated using the formula $F = ma$, where $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration.
Elasticity – The ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed. – The elasticity of the rubber band allows it to stretch and then return to its original size.
Mechanics – The branch of physics dealing with the motion of objects and the forces that affect them. – In mechanics, we learned how to calculate the trajectory of a projectile using equations of motion.
Exploration – The act of searching or traveling through an area for the purpose of discovery, often used in the context of space or scientific investigation. – The exploration of Mars has provided valuable information about the planet’s atmosphere and potential for life.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and other items. – Civil engineering involves designing and constructing infrastructure like roads, bridges, and buildings.
