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 Inspired by the locust's jumping mechanism and elastic energy
storage, Tel Aviv University researchers designed a tiny robot made
from carbon rods, steel springs and 3D printed plastic pieces. It
weighs less than once ounce (23 grams) and is approximately four
inches (10 centimeters) long.
"The locust being a large insect that has wonderful jumping
performance had offered itself as wonderful inspiration for this
specific idea of a jumping...miniature jumping robot," lead
developer Professor Amir Ayali, of the Department of Zoology at Tel
Aviv University's Faculty of Life Sciences, told Reuters as he
inspected a locust grown in his laboratory.
The robot can jump a remarkable 11.5 feet (3.5 meters), said Ayali,
due to its structure and energy storage, which along with its motor
makes it capable to withstand high accelerations.
 "The locust uses mechanical energy in addition to its muscle force
in order to generate a jump and this is exactly what we are
imitating...We are using a tiny motor that generates, or stores
mechanical energy, and this mechanical energy in springs is actually
very similar to the locust legs is what propels the robot into the
air," said Ayali.
The bio-inspired robot, dubbed 'TAUB' (Tel Aviv University and Ort
Braude College) was born out of an interdisciplinary collaboration
between engineers and zoologists at the bequest of the Pearls of
Wisdom Association for Research and advanced technology development
in Israel.
Unlike drones that can be airborne for up to about 30 minutes, the
locust robot is powered by a lithium battery. With its energy
efficiency it can reach up to 1,000 jumps with only one battery
loading.
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Ayali said the robot could be easily mass produced since its parts
are cheap and it is easy to manufacture, estimating the price of a
robot at $100 USD.
From oil spills to rescue and surveillance operations, "what you do
with it is whatever is needed whenever you want to engage any kind
of robotic system with no human interference," he said.
Ayali believes that with sufficient knowledge of locusts' swarming
capabilities, the robots may be capable of implementing the
mechanisms of swarming capabilities in robotic systems.
Hungarian-born Doctor Gabor Kosa, of TAU's Faculty of Engineering, a
confessed sci-fi fan, envisages a swarm of robots installed with GPS
navigation systems, cameras and solar panels for powering, entering
enemy territory to carry out a surveillance operation.
Around $200,000 USD was invested in the project at its early stages.
Ayali says the team is seeking more funding to develop it further.
Kosa hopes that with proper funding his team can build a robotic
system capable of jumping multiple times and possibly even mimicking
the locust by spreading its wings and flying.
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