Engineers at the University of Washington have developed DirectHop, a hopping robot that weighs about one gram and fits in the palm of a hand.
The robot uses a tiny electric motor and three folding legs instead of a spring. By adjusting the motor, it can choose a jump height with accuracy measured in single centimeters.
DirectHop can clear a standard stair step, land, and right itself about 90 percent of the time. Its shell was inspired in part by box turtles, which can roll back onto their feet.
The prototype still needs outside power and instructions, and it cannot steer itself yet. The team hopes future versions could carry their own power and work in groups to inspect hard-to-reach places.
