Click‐Beetles‐Inspired Light‐Driven Continuous Jumping Robots Based on Janus Azobenzene Polymer Films

Abstract Azobenzene‐mesogen photo‐actuator is frequently utilized in diverse bionic motions due to their unparalleled advantages of wireless and reversible actuation. The realm of jumping behavior remains unexplored for azobenzene‐based actuators. Inspired by the Click‐beetles, here a Janus light‐driven jumping robot is achieved through the integration effect of an azobenzene molecule (with a short thermal relaxation time) and a splay alignment. The prepared Azobenzene liquid crystal films exhibit remarkable light‐driven continuous jumping capabilities, with jumping heights of 35 body lengths (BL) and takeoff speeds of 0.67 m s⁻¹ (670 BL s⁻¹), these data currently surpass the performance of small‐mass jumping robots. This research will be helpful for the design of novel actuators and broaden of the application scenarios of azobenzene actuators.