Disney builds one-legged hopping robot
Disney's research labs have created a single-legged robot, which jumps up and down. Its sensors, controlling computer featuring an algorithm trained in 3D simulations, and batteries are housed on a platform, while a central voice coil actuator and a pair of springs allow the device to hop.
Disney's research lab publishes a lot of fascinating work, but it's not always obvious what their end goal is. In this case, though, we can safely say: Disney is building a Tigger.

They're calling it a single-legged hopping robot, but it's impossible that the company wouldn't try and develop it into a bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy Tigger-bot. Think Sphero's rolling BB-8 toy, but more likely to cause substantial damage to your home and pets.

Up and down we go. (Image credit: Disney)

The robot is built around a central voice coil actuator (yep, the same thing that moves in and out in speakers), and a pair of springs to give it extra bounce. A flat platform on the top of this houses the batteries, sensors, and controlling computer, and the whole thing is balanced by an algorithm that was trained in 3D simulations. The result is a robot that can hop about untethered for up to 19 jumps before falling over.