Robot that Jumps Like a Flea

Scientists
at an Italian university have come up with a pollution-detecting robot
that jumps around like a flea. The palm-sized device was developed with
its bug-like abilities to enable it to move more quickly over the
ground when searching for the source of a noxious leak.
Umberto Scarfogliero, one of the men behind the University
of Lucca project, says that the team focused on fleas and frogs in
particular when researching the 'bot. "Robots like these are far more
efficient than larger ones in scouring vast areas of land in a shorter
time," he explained. The little critters are now being equipped with
sensors that will allow them to locate sources of mercury poisoning.
Article Link (Gizmodo)