Materials and Design Considerations for Jumping Robots

Jumping robots are an innovative subset of robotics designed to navigate complex environments by leaping rather than rolling or walking. The leaping action is achieved by storing then releasing energy. Various designs utilize springs, elastomeric materials, pneumatic or hydraulic systems, or electromechanical actuators. Each of these energy storage methods has its own advantages and trade-offs in terms of complexity, application, energy storage and release efficiency, and weight.<br/><br/>This talk will focus on elastic-based jumping robots and outline material and design considerations for minimizing weight while maintaining energy storage. To begin, an elastomeric, strut-based design is introduced to establish baseline properties. Then, sheet-based designs, both uniform and graded, are tested and compared. Results demonstrate an increase in stored energy when straight struts are replaced by graded sheets. The work also raises the prospects for computational design optimization for maximum efficiency in material use.