Researchers at Stanford University have developed a small “aircraft” that resembles a flying fish which can jump and glide over a greater distance than an equivalent jumping robot. Using a carbon fiber spring to take off, the jumpglider has a pivoting wing that stays out of the way during ascent, but which locks into place to glide farther on the way down.
Like flying snakes, squirrels and fish, the gliding aces of the Animal Kingdom, the ability to glide affords the machine certain advantages over its “ballistic jumping” peers. A gliding robot (and we use the term robot loosely, as the jumpglider is not an autonomous sensing machine) can travel a greater distance, land more gently, and, if necessary, adjust its launch angle without greatly compromising distance. A slippery launch surface favors a steeper jump, for example.
via Gizmag
