Jumping,
a fundamental survival behavior observed in organisms,
serves as a vital mechanism for adapting to the surrounding environment
and overcoming significant obstacles within a given terrain. Here,
we present a light-controlled soft jumping actuator inspired by asphondylia,
which employs a closed-loop structure and utilizes a liquid crystal
elastomer (LCE). Photo-mechanical coupling highlights the significant
influence of the light source on the actuator’s jumping behavior.
Manipulating the light intensity, the relative position of stimulus
and light lock, and the concentration of disperse red 1 (DR1) allows
precise control over both the maximum take-off velocity and jump
height. Furthermore, tailoring the size of the LCE actuator offers
a means of regulating jumping behavior. Upon exposure to 460 nm LED
irradiation, our actuator achieves remarkable performance, with a
maximum jumping height of 10 body length (BL) and take-off velocity
of 62 BL/s. These actuators accumulate and rapidly release energy,
enabling the effective transportation of microcargos across substantial
distances. Our research yields valuable insights into the realm of
soft robotics, underscoring the pivotal importance of photo-mechanical
coupling in the field of soft robotics, thereby serving as a catalyst
for inspiring continued exploration of agile and capable systems by
prestoring elastic energy.