LeapBot: Grasshopper-Inspired Robotic Jumping Mechanism

Objective:
To design and construct a hexapod robot inspired by the grasshopper, integrating its unique jumping capabilities with standard hexapod locomotion, achieving a minimum jumping distance of 10 cm.

Project Description:
This project was undertaken as part of a bio-inspired robotics coursework, involving a team of four individuals with diverse backgrounds in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and biology. Our primary objective was to create a hexapod robot inspired by the grasshopper's jumping prowess. We designed a jumping mechanism that could autonomously wind, wait, and launch the robot upon command. The challenge was to emulate the agility and efficiency of a grasshopper's jumping ability. Additionally, we ventured into electronics, carefully assembling and routing electronic components on a protoboard for motor control and power management. Iterations were conducted to perfect the chassis design to accommodate both the electronics and the jumping mechanism.

Responsibilities:
My role primarily involved leading the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) efforts to develop the mechanical components of the robot. I also played a significant role in Arduino coding, contributing to the programming of the robot's control systems.

Outcome:
Our collaborative efforts resulted in the successful creation of a hexapod robot that seamlessly integrated walking and jumping mechanisms. This interdisciplinary project demonstrated our ability to bridge the fields of biology, mechanics, and electronics to engineer a robotic system inspired by nature.