Robotics News: Jumping Robot Inspired By African Primate; Bird Flights Show Flaws In Flying Robot Designs

The history of robotics is littered with inspiration from animals. Called biomimicry, it has often been used by scientists to solve complex structural and design problems. In a new related development, researchers from University of California, Berkeley, designed a small robot, which has "the highest robotic vertical jumping agility ever recorded." Known as Salto (short for saltatorial locomotion on terrain obstacles), the robot is 10.2 inches tall when fully extended and can jump up to 1 meter (almost 3.3 feet), which is more than three times its full height. Its development was inspired by galago, a small African primate known for its jumping ability.