This Tiny 4-Inch Robot Hops, Backflips and Swims Using an Odd Trick Hidden in Its Legs

Automatically curated summary from The Debrief.

Researchers at UCLA and the University of Michigan have developed a 4.3-inch prototype robot capable of hopping, swimming, and executing backflips across various surfaces. As detailed in a study published in Science Advances, the 98.2-gram machine utilizes helical Nitinol metal rods in its limbs that store energy from small motors and snap suddenly to launch into the air. In tests, it significantly outperformed rigid-legged counterparts on soft surfaces like grass and cloth.

Context and limitations

The reported capabilities are based on early prototype demonstrations, including remote-control operation on complex terrain and custom modifications for swimming, rather than evidence of autonomous real-world deployment.