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Reconnaissance robots have typically required elaborate engineering to overcome the challenges of urban surveillance; models based on hummingbirds, flies, and cockroaches are all in development. The engineers behind the Sand Flea, from Boston Dynamics, took the opposite approach. They created a simple, rugged, four-wheeled robot that tackles obstacles-whether walls or stairs or windows-by launching itself over and, in some cases, through them. The 11-pound, camera-equipped Sand Flea drives like an R/C car, but when faced with a hurdle it can jump up to 26 feet. The robot uses a laser range finder to measure the distance to its landing target and calculate trajectory. It then angles itself skyward and fires a launch piston powered with compressed air. A gyroscope within the Sand Flea generates enough inertial force to keep the robot level during flight, so the camera maintains a steady view. Big rubber wheels absorb shock when it lands.
BOSTON DYNAMICS SAND FLEA
Top Speed: 3.4 mph
Highest Jump: 26 feet
Resolution: 340 x 240 pixels
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
