Soft ring robot jumps forever when powered by infrared light

Researchers at North Carolina State University built a non-electronic soft robot shaped like a bent hoop that jumps continuously under infrared light. The angle of its V-shaped stopper sets the motion: 120° crawls, 90° jumps forward three body lengths, and 50° leaps 80 body heights vertically.

• Liquid crystal elastomer cord stores energy through torsion and releases it automatically
• Stopper angles of 120°, 90° and 50° produce crawling, forward jumps or vertical leaps
• Forward jumps cover three body lengths; vertical leaps reach 80 body heights
• Adding a small weight shifts the center of mass for more powerful, stable motion