Frogbots! Solar-powered, at that!

Dave Hrynkiw
December 15, 2000

I missed the full segment of this story last weeks on "Discovery Channel's @discovery.ca" program, but fortunately, the've put the segment online at their website. I seems that JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratories - NASA essentially) is working on a solar-powered, single-footed robot frog. This seems like a GREAT idea for extra-terrestrial planet-surface locomotion. Check out the videos and see for yourself. Additional information at Space.com Even more technical information is here and here, in these Adobe Acrobat files from one of the researchers, Paulo Fiorini. Here's his homepage. And this is his dedicated Frogbot hompage - lots of interesting info!

Oh, and if you scroll to the bottom of the Discovery Channel / EXN page, you'll find a nice video clip of our favorite Roboticist, Mark Tilden. They shot this a few years ago, and I'm glad to see they resurrected it to be on this page.

Read More...

MORE POSTS

December 9, 2010
From the Inbox...

It's always nice to get feedback (especially when it's complementary!):  I have to let you know about my experience with your company this Christmas season. I wanted to purchase a robotic kit for my husband who had never build a kit before. I called to get some information as I am very much a novice, […]

March 5, 2003
BEP Requests?

We've been kicking around what to do as our next Bicore Experimenter's PCB Application note. As we're deadlocked on several ideas, we thought it'd be worthwhile to open it up to you. What sort of new BEP application would you like to see us produce next? Let us know by clicking on the "Posted By:" […]

December 15, 2014
Monday New Product: Sound, Powerboost an...

The alien flying badgers invaded the office, so the Friday product release was postponed. It is Monday, and the badgers are tamed and put to work to bring you more product than ever: A4988 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier, Black $7.49 It's an upgraded version of the standard A4988 stepper driver module from Pololu. Adafruit Audio […]

December 2, 2004
Eastern Canadian Robot Games Results

Yes, the Eastern Canadian Robot Games have been over for about a month, but I still think the following is worth mentioning: The Solarbotics Sumovore won first place in beginner mini-sumo The Solarbotics ScoutWalker III won first and third in the Walker competition Our own Grant McKee won Advanced Minisumo with his own design "Ender's […]

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!

Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.

Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.