Explosions bring robots a leap forward | Science News

4,803 views · Published 22 September 2014 · 0:52 · Indexed 27 September 2026

Channel: Science News · 2014 · Science & Technology

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Tiny explosions may be the next big leap for jumping robots. 

Igniting a mix of oxygen and liquid butane releases a burst of energy that can propel a new soft-bodied robot skyward. Inflating the bot’s rubbery legs before the explosion can control which way it hops, researchers from Harvard and Cornell reported September 15 at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. A soft-bodied robot that can jump with the help of an explosion could one day aid search-and-rescue operations. Read the full story on sciencenews.org: http://ow.ly/BMTRw 

Credit: M. Tolley

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