# Hopcopter prototype gains flexible foot for more consistent landings

_Published Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 6:06 PM EST · Robotics · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![A close view of the new flexible foot pad — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/1ffa053/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1310x688+0+93/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F77%2Fb2%2F83fdf180445aa8c1210047983576%2Fhopcopter-6-1500x1000.jpeg&na.image_optimisation=0)

Researchers added a flexible foot pad to the Hopcopter, a robot that combines quadcopter flight with a spring-loaded hopping leg, reducing performance variation across terrains by 84%, New Atlas reported. The earlier prototype struggled on sand, ice and slopes.

The wider pad distributes weight to limit sinking, three rubber bands help restore its position after landing, and short spikes grip slippery surfaces. The changes make landings more consistent across ice, sand and rocks. Some creators are working to commercialize the technology, but a production version is not yet available for sale.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/robotics/hopcopter-hopping-robot-flexible-foot-pad/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/Uz1NZtds5YBqqLtBH6OFDS
Published: 2026-11-04T23:06:25.576Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-04T22:28:48.826Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-05T01:53:25.159Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)