Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a remarkable 5-inch soft robot capable of leaping as high as a basketball hoop — all without legs, wheels, or motors.
This breakthrough in bioengineering opens exciting possibilities for soft robotics in areas like search-and-rescue operations and extraterrestrial exploration.
Nematode-Inspired Motion
The robot’s powerful jump is inspired by nematodes, tiny legless roundworms that can leap up to 20 times their body length. Nematodes achieve this by twisting and coiling their bodies into tight loops, creating tension that releases explosively in just a fraction of a second. This rapid release propels them in precise directions, from backflips to long jumps.
A Bot Without Legs
Using this natural design, the Georgia Tech team crafted their robot from silicone elastomer with a carbon-fiber spine. This structure gives the bot a flexible, tapeworm-like body that can jump an astonishing 10 feet high.
Like the nematode’s tension “kink,” the bot stores energy and releases it explosively to power its jump. Importantly, the robot is durable enough for repeated jumps with minimal wear, making it practical for real-world applications.
Conquering Unpredictable Terrain
The soft robot’s ability to move across challenging surfaces such as sand, rubble, and loose rock makes it ideal for missions on distant planets. It could also navigate collapsed buildings after disasters. Equipped with sensors, cameras, or communication gear, this agile bot could serve as a scout, mapping dangerous areas and sending critical data to rescue teams.
Georgia Tech’s innovation promises to redefine the future of soft robotics, blending nature’s ingenuity with cutting-edge engineering for missions both on Earth and beyond.
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