Design and demonstration of a locust-like jumping mechanism for small-scale robots

A jumping mechanism can be an efficient mode of motion for small robots to overcome large obstacles on the ground and rough terrain. In this paper, we present a 7 g prototype of locust-inspired jumping mechanism that uses springs, wire, reduction gears, and a motor as the actuation components. The leg structure and muscles of a locust or grasshopper were mimicked using springs and wire, springs for passive extensor muscles, and a wire as a flexor muscle. A small motor was used to slowly charge the spring through a lever and gear system, and a cam with a special profile was used as a clicking mechanism for quick release of elastic energy stored in the springs to create a sudden kick for a quick jump. Performance analysis and experiments were conducted for comparison and performance estimation of the jumping mechanism prototype. Our prototype could produce standing jumps over obstacles that were about 14 times its own size (approximate to 71 cm) and a jumping distance of 20 times its own size (approximate to 100 cm).