Researchers Develop Self-Resetting Soft Jumping Robot Powered by Light

People's Daily reported that a research team from North Carolina State University developed a miniature self-resetting soft ring jumping robot capable of repeated jumping without manual intervention or electronic control. Using physical intelligence embedded in its ring design and liquid crystal elastomer material, the teardrop-shaped device achieved over 1000 consecutive jumps under constant infrared light, reaching vertical heights up to 80 times its stature and horizontal distances exceeding 3 times its body length. The ring body is constructed from liquid crystal elastomers connected by aluminum tubing into a closed loop with a rigid V-shaped tail. Subjected to continuous infrared exposure, thermal contraction creates a temperature disparity across surfaces, causing the soft structure to twist spontaneously and store elastic energy like a winding spring. Once energy accumulation causes sudden instability, the rigid tail slaps the ground at high speed, launching the ring into the air where it untwists, lands, and recharges automatically. Adjusting head counterweights, tail angles, and light intensity stabilizes directional jumping and enables transitions between crawling, directional jumping, and vertical leaps.

Modifications to the material and tail design enable amphibious locomotion, allowing the ring to float, paddle, and return to shore. On water, the tail flaps to generate propulsion, providing sufficient upward thrust at sloped edges to overcome surface tension and transition back onto land.