A group of German scientists recently applied the extraordinary abilities of the Chinese rice grasshopper (Oxya chinensis) to develop a robotic insect, opening up new possibilities for the creation of robots capable of moving across various types of terrain.
The Chinese rice grasshopper, native to the Yangtze River, is known for its acrobatic skills on water unlike any other dry land animal. The scientists studied the grasshopper’s movements on water and its sudden jumps with great detail in a laboratory setting. By using two high-speed cameras to capture 48 jumps and 54 swimming attempts, experts analyzed how the grasshoppers maneuvered so skillfully in the water.
By understanding the mechanisms behind the grasshoppers’ acrobatics on water, the scientists discovered that maintaining body weight through hydrostatic pressure and the driving forces resulting from limb interactions with water (hydrodynamics) are crucial. This finding reveals a previously unstudied principle of movement, opening up new possibilities for technologies inspired by biological techniques.
Using the data collected, the team of scientists designed a prototype robot that mimics the movements of the grasshopper, allowing it to swim and jump on the water’s surface while adjusting the speed of its limb movements. This development underscores the importance of studying natural mechanisms for robotics and offers the potential for creating robots that can adapt to various environmental conditions.
Previously, scientists had explored two methods of moving on water surfaces: one based on surface tension and the other relying on limb dynamics. However, both methods were deemed unsuitable for robot development due to their complexity and high energy requirements. In contrast, the Chinese rice grasshopper utilizes a unique combination of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic mechanisms, enabling it to move efficiently on water and execute impressive jumps.