Design and Simulation of Small Bio-Inspired Jumping Robot

In this paper, we discuss the design and simulation of a jumping-robot mechanism that is actuated by SMA (shape memory alloy) wires. We propose a jumping-robot mechanism; the structure of the robot is inspired by the musculoskeletal system of vertebrates, including humans. Each robot leg consists of three parts (a thigh, shank, and foot) and three kinds of muscles (gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius). The jumping capability of the robot model was tested by means of computer simulations, and it was found that the robot can jump to about four times its own height. This robot model was also compared with another model with a simpler structure, and the performance of the former, which was based on the biomimetic design, was 3.3 times better than that of the latter in terms of the jumping height. The simulation results also verified that SMA wires can be suitable actuators for small jumping robots.