ETH Zurich students are developing a robot that can hop like humans for exploring challenging terrains featuring ultra-low gravity.
Students at ETH Zurich are creating a robot that can move around in extremely low gravity by hopping like a human. The project is part of the SpaceHopper initiative, which aims to create a robot that can move like a jumper in conditions where gravity is at a premium.
One of SpaceHopper’s most impressive feats is its precise reorientation capability, achieved through clever leg movements without the need for cumbersome flywheels.Gravity: How science tracks this fundamental force that helps keep us alive This ensures the rover consistently lands on its feet, facilitating smooth and controlled landings without the risk of uncontrolled bouncing.SpaceHopper is a lightweight platform specifically engineered for low-gravity mobility. The robot is made of space-qualified parts and has a body size of 245 mm. It weighs 11.4 pounds . The device employs its three legs to realign the body during flight in preparation for landing in place of gyroscopes or flywheels. The team leveraged Deep Reinforcement Learning strategies to regulate the leg motion for reorientation. SpaceHopper can jump and stabilize itself midair, using its legs to move precisely across wide areas of land. According to the team, this may open up a wide range of new mission opportunities to investigate this vastly unexplored region of our solar neighborhood. SpaceHopper utilizes its ability to hop, enabling it to traverse large distances with remarkable efficiency. Coupled with precise attitude control during flight, the rover can navigate through the void with unparalleled agility, ensuring it reaches its destination accurately. Upon reaching its target point, SpaceHopper executes a controlled landing, utilizing its intricate propulsion system to touch down precisely. This capability not only facilitates safe arrival but also enables the rover to carry out scientific missions with unparalleled accuracy. According to the team, SpaceHopper, navigating through intricate landscapes with finesse, demonstrates precise locomotion for shorter distances. Its capacity to carry scientific payloads further enhances its utility, allowing for comprehensive exploration and data collection.To test SpaceHopper, the students used a parabolic flight to test their robot’s performance in zero gravity. The parabolic flight was carried out as part of the ESA Academy Experiments Program in cooperation with ESA. Known as “zero-gravity flights,” parabolic flights are exhilarating experiences that allow you to float like an astronaut. These flights use specialized aircraft to perform moves akin to a roller coaster, creating moments of weightlessness. Everything inside the plane experiences a brief, 20–30-second weightlessness as it passes over the crest of the curve. It feels like a brief stay in space., the robot can reliably jump to commanded spots up to 6m distant. Real-world tests demonstrate that SpaceHopper can jump in a counterweight configuration under Earth’s gravity and successfully reorient to a safe landing orientation within 9.7 degrees inside a rotational gimbal. The research paper states that the team considers SpaceHopper to be an “important step towards controlled jumping locomotion in low-gravity environments.”Detroit summons trash-picking BeBot to clean Belle Isle beaches
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Three injured, three detained after incident in downtown Salt Lake CityAt least two people were injured in an incident that resulted in one person being taken into custody in downtown Salt Lake City, officials said.
Read more »
Three injured, three detained after incident in downtown Salt Lake CityAt least two people were injured in an incident that resulted in one person being taken into custody in downtown Salt Lake City, officials said.
Read more »
Ancient Ethereum ICO Participant Suddenly Wakes UpEthereum (ETH) ICO participant has transferred $6.7 million worth of Ethereum (ETH)
Read more »
Ethereum Price Goes Bullish as Analyst Predicts $5,000 ETHAnalyst predicts Ethereum's potential to hit $5,000 price level
Read more »
NASA is not ‘shooting three rockets at three moons’The Earth has only one natural satellite — the moon. But social media users claim the Earth has three moons, and NASA is
Read more »
Guest Wins Three Jackpots in Three Hours at Caesars PalaceA guest at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas won three jackpots within three hours, with the latest one worth $692,500. The lucky player hit the jackpot on a Dragon Link slot machine, similar to the previous wins. This incredible streak of luck started earlier this month and continued into April 2024.
Read more »