# One-gram DirectHop robot demonstrates adjustable jumps and self-righting

_Published Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 12:07 PM EDT · Robotics · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![The 1-gram DirectHop robot can hop high enough to clear a standard stair step — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/ebd0294/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4301+0+582/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F75%2Fd8%2F5260890643bfae93aa0bdc8452a6%2Fdirecthop1.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

University of Washington researchers have built a one-gram hopping robot that adjusts jump energy by changing the current supplied to its motor, New Atlas reported. The DirectHop prototype can clear a standard stair and make small, controlled jumps, addressing the fixed-energy release used by many spring-loaded hopping robots.

A pulley and two strings help launch the robot. Its motor also shifts its center of gravity after landing, while a flexible carbon fiber cage helps it roll upright. In laboratory tests, it righted itself in about 90% of cases. The prototype receives power through wires and lacks sensors, leaving control entirely to human operators.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/robotics/flea-inspired-directhop-hopping-robot/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/keYIexAtoEKFGLPlg4ePoQ
Published: 2026-10-10T16:07:01.074Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-10T15:00:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-10T18:19:17.036Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)