A Jumping Robot based on the Closed Elastica

Abstract

In this paper, we propose jumping robots catapulted by the closed elastica which the authors developed as a robotic element for generating impulsive motions by utilizing the snap-through buckling. We show that one of our robots, which is about the size of 170 x 90 x 50 [mm], leaps 700[mm] away and 200[mm] high. We also show a legged jumping robot which pushes the ground impulsively by its leg attached to the closed elastica.