TerraSkipper: A Centimeter-Scale Robot for Multi-Terrain Skipping and Crawling

2026-03-29

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of low locomotion efficiency for microrobots in complex, unstructured terrains such as mud, sand, and grass. Inspired by the mudskipper, the authors propose a centimeter-scale robot that integrates jumping and crawling capabilities. The design uniquely incorporates a bioinspired jumping mechanism into a miniature platform, featuring a torsional spring-driven caudal thruster that generates an average thrust of 4 N and peak thrust of 6 N at a 25 mm displacement, coupled with a pectoral fin gait controller regulated by Hall-effect sensor feedback. Experimental results demonstrate significantly higher jumping speeds compared to conventional crawling on viscous or granular media like wet sand and bentonite. Outdoor trials further confirm robust mobility across diverse terrains, including grass, loose sand, and hard ground.

Abstract

Mudskippers are unique amphibious fish capable of locomotion in diverse environments, including terrestrial surfaces, aquatic habitats, and highly viscous substrates such as mud. This versatile locomotion is largely enabled by their powerful tail, which stores and rapidly releases energy to produce impulsive jumps. Inspired by this biological mechanism, we present the design and development of a multi-terrain centimeter-scale skipping and crawling robot. The robot is predominantly 3D printed and features onboard sensing, computation, and power. It is equipped with two side fins for crawling, each integrated with a hall effect sensor for gait control, while a rotary springtail driven by a 10mm planetary gear motor enables continuous impulsive skipping across a range of substrates to achieve multi-terrain locomotion. We modeled and experimentally characterized the tail, identifying an optimal length of 25mm that maximizes the mean propulsive force (4N, peaks up to 6N) for forward motion. In addition, we evaluated skipping on substrates where fin based crawling alone fails, and varied the moisture content of uniform sand and bentonite clay powder to compare skipping with crawling. Skipping consistently produced higher mean velocities than crawling, particularly on viscous and granular media. Finally, outdoor tests on grass, loose sand, and hard ground confirmed that combining skipping on entangling and granular terrain with crawling on firm ground extends the operational range of the robot in real-world environments.

Problem

• multi-terrain locomotion
• centimeter-scale robot
• skipping
• crawling
• viscous substrates

Innovation

• multi-terrain locomotion
• centimeter-scale robot
• impulsive skipping
• bio-inspired design
• onboard sensing and control