COSMOS MAGAZINE
Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory
Harvard engineers designed a tiny, bug-inspired robot that can walk, climb, and jump to navigate complex environments.
Composite image of a springtail jumping. Credit: Adrian Smith
They based it on springtails, small insects that launch themselves into the air using a forked appendage called a furcula.
The robot mimics this with a latched spring system, storing and releasing energy to jump up to 1.4 meters in just 14 milliseconds.
Tomocerus vulgaris jump sequence captured at 1450 frames per second (fps) courtesy of E. Christian. Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory
A profile view of the jumping robot prototype depicted during part of the takeoff. Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory
By adjusting the furcula’s length, stored energy, and take-off angle, they improved the robot’s landing control.
The Harvard Ambulatory Microrobot modified with its springtail-inspired jumping mechanism. Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory
This makes it more agile than other microrobots, allowing it to move effectively in natural and unstructured terrains.