University of Washington · Robot locomotion

UW builds a one-gram robot with controlled jump height

Physical prototypeSeptember 23, 2026

UW’s small black-and-gold DirectHop prototype leaps from a tabletop, with its roll cage and power wires visible. — DirectHop, UW’s one-gram motor-driven hopping prototype, photographed by Mark Stone. The prototype uses external power and control. Image: Mark Stone / University of Washington · University editorial press image · 4096 × 2732 · Downsampled where needed to 4K or larger and WebP optimized; smaller card preview. No upscaling.

What happened

The University of Washington team demonstrated a roughly one-gram robot that can clear a standard stair step and self-right 90% of the time. Adjusting motor current changes the jump height, while three folding legs and a roll cage help the mechanism survive and reset between hops.

Why it matters

The design shows controllable jumping at very small scale, but it is not yet autonomous: the prototype receives power and instructions through wires and cannot steer. Onboard power, navigation and directed stair climbing remain future work.

Source checked October 31, 2026. Status describes the evidence in the linked source at the time of review.