One of the major challenges that face robots designed for space exploration is being able to move over rough terrain. Robots with legs are generally very complex, expensive to build and control, and encounter problems if they fall over. Wheels are a simpler solution to this, but are limited by the size of obstacles they can overcome, so a better option needs to be developed. Accordingly, Rhodri and colleagues at the University's Centre for Biomimetic and Natural Technologies have been looking to nature for inspiration - designing a robot that jumps obstacles in its path like an insect. A Bath University student has designed a robot that jumps like a grasshopper and rolls like a ball. The "Jollbot" has been created by PhD student Rhodri Armour, and can jump over obstacles and roll over smoother terrain.

Armour took measurements using a high-speed camera to analyze how the robot jumped and to predict how it might behave in a low-gravity environment, such as in space. The robot is also flexible and small, weighing less than a kg, meaning it will not have trouble tagging along on space missions.

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