Concept:  iHop’s three-wheeled design allows it to roll around in a horizontal mode (i), transition (ii) to vertical mode (iii), and, when necessary, hop over obstacles (iv).  A Big Leap Forward: When iHop gets airborne, she uses her drive wheels to reorient herself, in the same way  that satellites are stabilized.  This allows iHop to instantly transform from an efficient rolling platform, into a maneuverable hopper!  iHop, in the Flesh: iHop’s patent-pending design features a lockable four-bar hopping mechanism, as well as reaction wheels incorporating on-board drive motors and batteries. These elements, combined with applied optimal control theory have facilitated the creation of a very dynamic new robotics platform! Four_Bar.htmlFour_Bar.htmlWheels.htmlControl.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3