Scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have unveiled a new modular robot designed to explore the Moon and asteroids. The device is called SPLITTER. It has a unique ability to move by jumping and stay stable in the air thanks to an innovative control system.

SPLITTER consists of two small four-legged robots connected by a tether. This design allows for efficient orientation control during flight. Instead of using heavy gyroscopes or gas engines, the robot varies the length of the tether and the position of its limbs to stabilize itself in the air. This approach is based on a physical effect known as the “tennis racket theorem,” which explains the rotational behavior of objects with asymmetric mass.

Unlike traditional rovers, SPLITTER is capable of traveling long distances by jumping. Its compact design makes it ideal for exploring craters and caves. One of the modules can be fixed on the surface while the second one descends deep into the interior, transmitting the collected data.

The team is currently working to further improve the hardware of their robot