From Arthropods to Robots: Modelling the dynamics of jumping on water

Synopsis

Robotic innovation is often inspired by biological systems that have been optimized through evolution to perform specific tasks with the most efficient motion possible. One such motion of interest is the jumping motion used by certain arthropods to propel themselves vertically off the surface of a body of water. Ho Young Kim et al. propose a new model that incorporates capillary forces to previous surface-tension-dominated theories in their new paper “Mechanics of jumping on water”. This new theoretical framework produces height predictions that closely match the measured jumping height of living arthropods (water striders and springtails) reacting to stimulus.