Developed by Boston Robotics, the Sand Flea robot can drive in flat terrain just like an RC car. With a weight of around 11 pounds, Sand Flea is also capable of jumping 30 ft into the air in order to overcome potential obstacles. As a result, it has the ability to jump over compound walls, onto a roof, up a stair set or into a high window.
Sand Flea utilizes gyro stabilization for maintaining its level during flight while getting a clear view by using its onboard camera. This ensures a smooth landing. The robot is capable of jumping around 25 times on a single charge.
The American Army’s Rapid Equipping Force is funding the development of the robot’s current version. Previously, JIEDDO and DARPA were funding the robot’s development at Sandia National Laboratory.