We designed a jumping robot and used it to patrol a rugged
environment while avoiding obstacles by rolling and jumping.
The robot was required to provide information about the environment
in front of it as it encountered and maneuvered around
obstacles. This information was collected using sensors and
cameras, and delivered to a remotely placed user. Our tests demonstrated
that the robot was sufficiently strong and flexible to withstand
the impact caused by jumping onto an object or down to the
ground. One simple way of reducing the damage from impacts is to use a lightweight body design. This reduces the size of the robot so
it can fit in a small space and maneuver through narrow channels.
However, a robot that is too lightweight cannot be fully equipped
with the necessary components, such as cameras, sensors, and battery.
A weight limited to a range that can be easily lifted by a human
with a compact packing of the robotic components appears to
be a suitable compromise.