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Robotics Technology

A Robot That Can Walk and Jump On Water 39

Posted by Soulskill from the for-the-inevitable-war-against-dragonflies dept.
Taco Cowboy writes: Researchers from Seoul University and Harvard have constructed tiny robots that can walk across the surface of standing water, and even jump into the air. The robots were designed to imitate the way pond-skimmer insects take advantage of surface tension to maneuver on top of still bodies of water. After studying the insects, the researchers found their legs started with a small amount of movement before gradually accelerating downward into a jump. The insects also sweep their legs inward during the jump to maximize the amount of time they stay in contact with the surface (abstract). "Using these principles, the researchers developed an ultra light robot made out of nickel titanium with a 2 centimeter long body inspired by origami. Its 5 centimeter long wire legs are curved at the tips like a real water strider's and coated with a material that repels water." Pictures of the robots are available here and here, as well as this animated gif.
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A Robot That Can Walk and Jump On Water More

A Robot That Can Walk and Jump On Water

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  • Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Friday July 31, 2015 @09:43AM (#50222569)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • I welcome our new robotic lord and savior.
  • In the form of a coat hanger looking robot. . .
  • Really?

    A Lizard Jesus?

    Jesus Christ!
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • Jesus did return in the end. And this time he even has a metal exo skeleton. All praise robo Jesus!

  • How is this a "robot" (Score:3)

    by digitalPhant0m ( 1424687 ) on Friday July 31, 2015 @01:24PM (#50224553)

    If this is a robot, then so is this paper clip [wikihow.com]

    Robot [wikipedia.org]

    • It has locomotion and is controlled by a computer, unlike a paper clip (unless you are talking about Clippy).

      • By that definition computer controlled fireworks are robots. They have locomotion; the powder to get out of the mortar, and are computer controlled. Computer controlled "one trick ponies" are not robots.

        • You seem to be promoting your own private definition of "locomotion".

          • On looking further it is not even computer controlled.

            The new robot jumps by using a simple, light clasp (almost the entire body of the robot) that snaps shut via a heat-reactant spring after being zapped by an outside pulse of heat.

            So someone hitting it with a heat gun would set it off.
            It can only do it once.

            A flea-inspired jumping system called a torque reversal catapult launches the robot from the surface of the water up to 14.2 centimeters in the air, which is similar to water striders. At the moment, the strider-bot can only jump once, and can’t land upright.

            It is a machine not a robot.

            • It is a prototype of part of a robot. The article only claims that the robot is designed, and does not claim that it is completely finished. If you pretend not to be impressed with what they have demonstrated so far then you must hand in your geek card.

              • It is a prototype of part of a robot.

                So we agree it is not a "robot". Much in the same way an actuator may be a "part of a robot" but not, in itself, a "robot".

                does not claim that it is completely finished.

                It claims that they have built a "robot" when they have not.

                Since Biblical times, people have been fascinated with the idea of walking on water. Now researchers have built a robot that can jump on it.

                If you pretend not to be impressed with what they have demonstrated so far then you must hand in your geek card.

                How does calling them on misuse of nomenclature have anything to do with whether or not I am impressed. It is an very impressive machine but not a robot.

                They could have said "Since Biblical times, people have been fascinated with the idea of walking on water. Now researchers have built a machine that can jump on it" That would

                • It's a robot locomotion design. It's part of a robot design. It walks on water and jumps on water. It's impressive as hell to anybody with the slightest clue. Are you happy now, or do you want to litter slashdot with more of your nonfunctional tripe?

                  Question: when you have trouble with your bowel movement does it eventually come out if you really try?

                  • It's a robot locomotion design.

                    So is a wheel, track, stepper motor, survo, etc. It is also a locomotion design that may have nothing to do with robots.

                    It's impressive as hell to anybody with the slightest clue.

                    I have said it is impressive. Things do not need to be robots to be impressive.

                    Are you happy now, or do you want to litter slashdot with more of your nonfunctional tripe?

                    Sorry but I don't see calling someone on the misuse of terminology on a technology website as "nonfunctional tripe". Wrong terminology just muddies the water.

                    Question: when you have trouble with your bowel movement does it eventually come out if you really try?

                    So when your arguments do not hold up under scrutiny you get angry and attack the person making the counter argument. I have nothing against you personally

                    • Do you really think that your wanking added something of value to the commentary?

                    • Wow, we were having a polite conversation about terminology usage and then you bring in bowel movements and wanking. You really think that added anything to the conversation? Chill out. Everyone is wrong occasionally and we all have to learn to deal with it. Lashing out is not the correct way. I will chalk it up to you having a bad day. Hope your tomorrow is better.

                    • I could add "delusional".

                    • Is that a self diagnosis?

      • i don't see anything in the article about computer control.

        The new robot jumps by using a simple, light clasp (almost the entire body of the robot) that snaps shut via a heat-reactant spring after being zapped by an outside pulse of heat.

        It sounds like it is controlled by a hair dryer.

        • That's the problem with getting our tech news from a place called "popsci". They failed to link the actual research. It seems apparent that the robot has been designed, and the mechanical part has been prototyped and successfully tested. Say, do you regard yourself as a technical person? (Not looking good at the moment.)

  • I find it interesting that none of the videos show it landing? I bet it probably sinks.

    Also, the mechanism is easily explained. As something moves across water more weight can be supported. That is why boats "get up on plane" [wikipedia.org].

  • Dunno about you - but isn't a "robot" a "a machine that has an onboard computer and moves autonomously"? This doesn't look like it has any onboard compute or battery - so it's more like a remote-controlled vehicle or something,

    This has annoyed me about a bunch of other so-called "robots" too - the RoboWars competition is mostly just a bunch of radio-controlled vehicles.

    The whole idea of autonomous control, sensors and self-containment seems important in the definition of the term.

    I'm sure this machine cou

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