Scientists at Harvard have developed a tiny, springtail-inspired robot that can jump an impressive 23 times its body length.
Springtails are small insects that live in soil and leaf litter, using a special tail-like structure to launch themselves into the air.
Inspired by these natural jumpers, researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have designed a microrobot that could change how small robots move.
This research, published in Science Robotics, suggests that small, agile robots like this could be used to explore tight spaces, move across difficult terrain, and even perform tasks without human control.
The new robot is a modified version of the Harvard Ambulatory Microrobot (HAMR), a tiny robotic platform originally inspired by the tough and adaptable cockroach. The team, led by Professor Robert J. Wood, added a key feature to HAMR: a robotic version of the springtail’s “furcula,” the forked structure that allows it to jump.
“Springtails are fascinating because they have evolved a unique way to jump using a quick burst of energy,” said Wood. “They punch the ground rapidly to gain momentum and propel themselves into the air.”
To jump, the robot uses a technique called latch-mediated spring actuation. This means it stores energy in an elastic part—its robotic furcula—then releases it suddenly, much like a catapult. This method is common in nature, seen in creatures like chameleons using their tongues to catch prey and mantis shrimp delivering powerful punches. Wood’s team had previously built a mantis shrimp-inspired robot, making it a natural next step to apply similar mechanics to a jumping robot.
The simplicity of the springtail’s jumping mechanism intrigued the researchers. “Its furcula consists of just two or three connected parts, and that simplicity is what made me want to explore it for our robot,” said lead author Francisco Ramirez Serrano, a former research fellow at SEAS.
Using advanced microfabrication techniques, the team built a small, lightweight robot that can walk, jump, climb, strike objects, and even pick them up. It can perform some of the highest and longest jumps of any existing robot of its size, reaching up to 1.4 meters (about 4.5 feet). That’s 23 times its body length!
While other robots can jump further, they are usually much larger and heavier. This Harvard robot is different—it combines powerful jumps with precise walking movements, making it more versatile. To improve landing accuracy, the team used computer simulations to fine-tune the robot’s design, ensuring it lands safely and effectively each time it jumps.
This combination of jumping and walking could make future robots more useful in areas where humans cannot go. “Walking is efficient and precise, but it can’t always handle obstacles. Jumping is great for getting past barriers but is harder to control,” Wood explained. “By combining both, our robot can navigate natural and rough environments more effectively.”
This research brings us one step closer to tiny robots that could explore hard-to-reach places, assist in search and rescue missions, and even study the natural world in ways we never thought possible.
Source: Harvard University.
