The new robot built by Boston Dynamics can cover a distance of up to 30 feet with a sandfly jump. The robot can easily jump over a flat ground if there is any wall or obstruction in front of it, even if it is moving normally on four wheels. Weighing 11 pounds, the sandfly is able to jump directly from one floor to another or from the stairs to the roof.
To keep its balance while floating in the air, the robot uses the "Zero Stabilization" method, which gives its built-in camera a clear idea of the surrounding conditions and facilitates a safe landing. Once the sandfly's battery is fully charged, the robot can make 25 jumps.
Sandfly wheels are designed to adapt to any adverse conditions during landing. On the outside of each wheel there is a groove-like flexible extension that acts on the slippery and smoothness of the main mechanical unit.
Research and development of the device at Boston Dynamics has been funded by the US Army, DARP, and Jeddah.