Los Angeles, February 14 – UCLA researchers have introduced SPLITTER, a tethered jumping robot designed for planetary exploration. The system consists of two lightweight quadrupedal robots connected by a tether, enabling efficient jumping locomotion in low-gravity environments such as the Moon or asteroids. It utilizes inertial morphing technology to stabilize mid-air, optimizing performance without heavy equipment.
SPLITTER aims to overcome the limitations of traditional rovers and drones by adjusting tether length and limb positions for stable and controlled jumps. This innovative approach offers a scalable solution for space exploration, enabling more effective surface coverage in challenging low-gravity environments.
