NC State Researchers Developed Light-Powered Jumping Robot
The motorless device uses infrared light to navigate complex terrain through stored torsion.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Robotics
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a teardrop-shaped robot that jumps and crawls without motors. By utilizing infrared light to contract a liquid crystal elastomer, the device generates energy that allows it to move across diverse surfaces like sand and rocks.
Why it matters
This technology eliminates the weight and mechanical complexity associated with traditional motors and springs. The design offers a potential pathway for creating lightweight, autonomous systems capable of operating in rugged environments.
The robot functions based on the geometry of its V-shaped aluminum tube: a 120-degree angle enables crawling, a 90-degree angle facilitates forward leaping, and a 50-degree angle allows for vertical jumping.
The players
North Carolina State University
This is a public research university located in Raleigh that serves as a hub for engineering and technological innovation.
The details
Constructed from a liquid crystal elastomer ribbon, the robot twists and stores energy when exposed to infrared light. Once the threshold of torsion is reached, the structure snaps against the ground to propel itself forward, resetting its configuration automatically after every leap.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Big Picture
This innovation follows a pattern set by the development of soft robotics, which seeks to replace bulky hardware with adaptive materials. The research marks a departure from traditional robotic design by utilizing environmental stimuli rather than internal power plants to generate kinetic motion.
This technology aims to eventually enhance swarm robotics for specialized tasks like environmental exploration. While currently in the research phase, such devices could one day improve defense and emergency response capabilities in areas inaccessible to human workers.
The takeaway
By leveraging light as a power source, these researchers have demonstrated a viable way to bypass the limitations of heavy battery-powered motors. This approach could lead to more resilient, long-lasting machines that are cheaper and simpler to maintain.
Further reading
For more advancements in movement-based technology, visit the Robotics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IHLS.
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