Engineers Develop Squirrel-Inspired Robot

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a...squirrel robot?

Just when you thought robotics couldn’t get any more inventive, engineers and biologists at the University of California, Berkeley announced they have designed a robot that can mimic the extraordinary leaping abilities of squirrels. This new careening creature, named Salto, can leap from limb to limb and stick landings on narrow perches, a feat previously unmatched by any robotic technology.

The research involved studying the biomechanics of squirrel leaps and landings. Squirrels are known for their agility and precision, able to navigate complex environments with ease. By understanding these mechanics, the team was able to modify Salto, a one-legged robot initially developed in 2016, to replicate these remarkable abilities.

You might be wondering: why do we need a squirrel-like robot? As it turns out, Salto's enhanced capabilities have serious implications for the future of robotics. Potential applications include navigating challenging environments such as disaster sites, construction areas, and dense forests. The ability to leap and land precisely could optimize the use of robots in search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and even space exploration.

Robert Full, a professor of integrative biology at UC Berkeley and one of the senior authors of the study, emphasized the importance of this advancement. "Squirrels are nature’s best athletes," Full said. "The way they can maneuver and escape is unbelievable. Our goal is to define the control strategies that give these animals such a wide range of behavioral options and use that information to build more agile robots".

This development marks a significant “leap” forward in robotics, showing how nature-inspired designs can lead to technological breakthroughs. As robots become more agile and capable, their potential applications will continue to expand, opening new possibilities for innovation and problem-solving in various fields.