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A new insect-scale robot developed at MIT is reshaping how robotics can be used in challenging environments like disaster zones. Unlike traditional crawling or flying micro-robots, this compact machine moves by hopping—allowing it to navigate rough terrain with remarkable energy efficiency and agility.
Roughly the size of a human thumb and lighter than a paperclip, the robot combines spring-based jumping with precise mid-air control provided by four flapping-wing actuators, according to TechXplore. The result is a miniature system capable of leaping over tall obstacles and landing on slippery or uneven surfaces.
The innovation addresses a critical challenge: balancing range and mobility with power consumption. While aerial robots can bypass difficult terrain, their high energy demands severely limit operational time. Crawlers, on the other hand, are efficient but struggle with obstacles and inclines. This hybrid hopping approach bridges that gap.
According to TechXplore, the robot can jump about 20 centimeters vertically, and move laterally at 30 centimeters per second. It has proven capable on wet glass, grass, soil, and even ice. Tests also showed it can hop onto dynamic surfaces, such as a hovering drone, without damage to either machine.
At the core of its jumping mechanism is a compression spring leg, which stores and releases energy efficiently with each hop. The flapping-wing modules, powered by soft actuators, provide in-flight stabilization and allow for adjustments in orientation between jumps. These modules also help compensate for energy lost during ground impact.
A fast-reacting control system, supported by external motion tracking and onboard algorithms, guides the robot’s movement. It calculates ideal landing and takeoff angles in real time, adjusting the robot’s posture while airborne to ensure stable landings.
Beyond agility, the hopping system offers superior payload capacity. The robot can already carry twice its own weight, and tests suggest it may handle much more—unheard of in similar-sized flying robots.
This combination of durability, terrain versatility, and low power consumption opens the door to practical field applications, such as search-and-rescue operations in collapsed buildings or remote sensing in hazardous areas. Future versions may carry batteries, sensors, or cameras, enabling fully autonomous deployment in real-world missions.
The research was published in Science Advances.
