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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Published on: February 28, 2020

A bio-inspired, soft-bodied jumper.

Aniket Ramawadh Vishwakarma¹, Nolan Skowronski¹, Jiaoyan Li¹

¹Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14228, United States of America.

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics

|July 2, 2026

Summary

Inspired by nematodes and fly larvae, scientists developed a soft-bodied robot that jumps using stored elastic energy. This latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA) system achieves high speeds, mimicking biological locomotion.

Keywords:

LaMSA bio-inspired jumping microrobot soft-bodied jumper

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

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Published on: February 28, 2020

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

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Published on: April 24, 2016

Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

Published on: July 8, 2013

Area of Science:

Biomimetics and Soft Robotics
Mechanics and Materials Science

Background:

Many small organisms, like nematodes and fly larvae, exhibit remarkable jumping abilities without legs.
These organisms utilize a unique locomotion strategy involving body looping, elastic energy storage, and rapid release.

Purpose of the Study:

To model the mechanics of curved, expanding bodies for understanding jumping forces and energetics.
To develop and demonstrate a soft-bodied jumping robot inspired by biological examples.

Main Methods:

Developed a mechanical model for curved expanding bodies to analyze forces and energy during jumps.
Constructed a soft-bodied robot using a silicone-alcohol composite and a polyimide latch.
Utilized Joule heating of an embedded nichrome wire for thermal expansion and actuation.

Main Results:

The soft-bodied jumper, inspired by gall midges, achieved take-off velocities up to 1.82 m/s.
Demonstrated a jumping power density of 1274 W/kg, comparable to biological counterparts.
Validated a simplified soft-bodied latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA) mechanism.

Conclusions:

The study successfully models and demonstrates a soft-bodied LaMSA mechanism for high-speed, impulsive motion.
The developed robot showcases the potential of biomimetic designs for advanced soft robotics.
This research highlights the efficacy of elastic energy storage and release in small-scale synthetic systems.