Thursday, March 02, 2023

Grasshopping robots made possible with new, improved latch control

Why Can't Robots Jump Across Grass and Sand?

It's long been a mystery why animals and insects can jump across grass and sand, while robots have yet to be able to do the same. But according to Professor Sarah Bergbreiter of Mechanical Engineering, the answer may come from an unlikely source - existing latch mechanisms.

Originally seen as an 'on' or 'off' switch to release stored energy, these latch mechanisms may now be used to control the jump performance of robots across a variety of terrains. Under the guidance of Bergbreiter, researchers are beginning to understand how these latch mechanisms can be adjusted to allow robots to successfully jump across both grass and sand. This could potentially revolutionize how robots are used in a wide range of industries.



https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/grasshopping-robots-made-possible-with-new-improved-latch-control

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