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Twisting elastic rods power a leaping frog robot

Original: 🐸 NEW: Engineers at the University of # Michigan and # UCLA found that twisting a coiled elastic rod stores # energy tha

Engineers at the University of Michigan and UCLA have built a palm-sized frog robot weighing under 100 grams that hops three body lengths per second across wood. The device uses two coiled elastic rods that store energy when twisted and release it in a sudden snap to drive each jump. Researchers say the snapping mechanism could inspire compact, fast-moving robots for navigating rough terrain.

Why now: A newly published demonstration of a simple elastic snap mechanism enabling fast, frog-like hopping has caught attention among robotics and physics enthusiasts.

University of MichiganUCLA

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Evidence

• 🐸 NEW: Engineers at the University of # Michigan and # UCLA found that twisting a coiled elastic rod stores # energy that releases in a sudden snap. Their palm-sized frog robot, weighing less than 100 g, uses two snapping rods to hop three body lengths per second across wood,… · tksst@fediscience.org · 7

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