A locust. Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University have designed a small robot inspired by the insects. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University have designed a small robot inspired by locusts — those of Passover and 10 Plagues fame — that could play an important role in conducting automated surveillance and emergency response.

“The locust being a large insect that has wonderful jumping performance had offered itself as wonderful inspiration for this specific idea of a jumping…miniature jumping robot,” lead developer Professor Amir Ayali, of the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, told Reuters.

The robotic locusts — dubbed “TAUB” (Tel Aviv University and Ort Braude College) — are made from carbon robs, steel springs and 3D-printed plastic. They are powered by a lithium battery and are capable of reaching up to 1,000 jumps on only one charge.

“The locust uses mechanical energy in addition to its muscle force in order to generate a jump, and this is exactly what we are imitating….We are using a tiny motor that generates, or stores mechanical energy, and this mechanical energy in springs is actually very similar to the locust legs is what propels the robot into the air,” said Ayali.

According to the researchers, the robotic locusts can be used on anything from surveillance to entering situations and locations that are hazards for humans, such as oil spills.

The researchers also hope to one day to better understand the locust’s ability to swarm and implement that feature in the robotic systems.