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Squirrel-Inspired Robot Salto Achieves Limited Success in Upright Landings

Researchers have developed Salto, a one-legged robot that mimics squirrel agility to leap between narrow surfaces, though consistent upright balance remains a challenge.

Image
A jumping robot with one leg leaps from one PVC pipe to another. A black net is strung below it.
The robot Salto leaps from one narrow beam to another and balances on it.
Biologists studying the biomechanics of leaping squirrels helped to inspire engineers who redesigned a one-legged robot to leap from one narrow perch to another with the agility of a squirrel.

Overview

  • Salto, a one-legged robot inspired by squirrel movements, can leap between narrow surfaces and attempt upright landings.
  • The robot uses a novel strategy of modulating radial forces to control its balance during landings, mimicking how squirrels stabilize themselves.
  • Equipped with a claw-like gripper and posture adjustment capabilities, Salto landed on narrow surfaces in 25 out of 30 trials but achieved upright balance in only two instances.
  • The research, published in Science Robotics, highlights potential applications for agile robots in construction, environmental monitoring, and disaster relief.
  • Future improvements to Salto’s gripper and balance control mechanisms are needed to enhance its performance and reliability.