Leaping Robot Could Aid Space Exploration

Back | Reply »
Ben Articles 1-2
Benjamin Douglass - 12/11/2008 9:56 PM Edit


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28163717/

The “Jollbot” has the capability to jump over obstacles, and roll over level ground. The Jollbot would be a useful robot for exploring planets and moons, because it would be very maneuverable and light, and could avoid obstacles like potholes. Read the article for more details. I find a problem, however, in how it would carry experimental and/or scientific research equipment. In order for the Jollbot to jump, it needs to compress, store energy, and expand rapidly, releasing the energy. If it is carrying equipment, which all exploration robots need, it would be heavy, and it would no longer have the correct shape (spherical). If those dilemmas could be resolved, the Jollbot would also be a good candidate for reconnaissance missions in war zones. Mount a camera in it, and send it into the fray. Durable and maneuverable, it could roll around observing, and avoid obstacles by jumping over them.