This one-gram robot can hop over a stair.
DirectHop uses a tiny motor and three folding legs to make controlled, repeated jumps. The prototype can clear a standard stair and twitch itself upright after a fall.
A University of Washington prototype weighing roughly one gram can make sequential controlled hops, clear a stair step and twitch to right itself.
WHAT HAPPENED
A University of Washington release published through Newswise on 23 September 2026 describes DirectHop, a roughly one-gram robot with a tiny motor and three folding legs. It can make multiple sequential hops, control jump height to the centimeter, clear a standard stair step and twitch to self-right. It still depends on external power and instructions; autonomous stair climbing remains a goal.
WHY THIS IS HOPESLOP
Most robots conquer stairs by becoming larger, heavier and more expensive. This one attacks the problem by weighing about as much as a paperclip and refusing to stay down. It is not autonomous yet. It is, however, already very good at hopping.
ORIGINAL SOURCEUniversity of Washington / NewswiseRead the original report
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