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

October 26, 2012
New Product Friday: Switches

Ok, switches everywhere! Most importantly, switching from Friday to Saturday is scheduled exactly at 12.00pm tonight, hopefully it happens on time. Because it was a long five days, and another seven before that, and then another seven. Should I continue? I think we all deserve a little bit of time titled Saturday and Sunday. Also, […]

December 10, 2001
Technology Index Closes...

We're sorry to report that Mr. Bilton of Technology Index has informed us that his popular UK webstore is shut down due to circumstances not having to do with its business. We hope things work out for Mr. Bilton, and that Technology Index will reopen for business when things get better.

July 12, 2007
Bio-Bugs Press Release

NEW YORK - February 12, 2001 - The WowWee Toy division of Hasbro, Inc. today introduced the first toy line to incorporate advanced "nervous network" technology. New B.I.O. Bugs (Bio-mechanical Integrated Organisms), the hit of last month's Hong Kong Toy Fair, are robotic bugs that can autonomously act by themselves, come and go as they please, identify friend or foe and have the ability to avoid or climb over obstacles in their path.

January 25, 2002
BEP Documentation Correction...

Just a quick note for those of you who have been trying to build the SC1 Servocores with the 0.01uF capacitors as listed in the parts list. That's an error! 0.1uF is just fine. Documentation has been revised accordingly. Sorry for the error!

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.