Interesting Engineering (North Carolina State University) | 2026-08-31 13:05 UTC
The nature-inspired soft ring robot can continuously leap under constant infrared light.North Carolina State University
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed soft robots that can repeatedly jump when exposed to infrared light.
The teardrop-shaped devices can leap upward or move forward, continuing to jump for as long as the light remains on.
Unlike conventional jumping robots, the new design does not require an external mechanism to reset after each jump, allowing it to repeat the motion autonomously.
The researchers say the work could enable light-powered soft robots to repeat movements without motors or complex controls.
Light-powered jumping robot
The soft robot can repeatedly jump under infrared light, using a simple mechanical design to store, release and recycle energy without motors, batteries or external resetting. The system is built around a photothermally responsive liquid crystal elastomer ring combined with a rigid V-shaped tail, creating a compact robot capable of autonomous continuous leaping across challenging terrain.
When exposed to infrared light, the liquid crystal elastomer contracts and causes the soft ring to twist. The V-shaped tail constrains this motion, forcing the structure to bend and store elastic energy as the twisting increases. Once the stored energy reaches a critical threshold, the tail snaps against the ground, rapidly releasing the energy and launching the robot into the air.