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About

Avi Weiss is a pioneering researcher in bio-inspired robotics, with a particular focus on miniature jumping robots and biomechanical locomotion strategies for traversing challenging terrain. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable athletic capabilities of the desert locust, Weiss has made foundational contributions to the design, control, and optimization of small-scale jumping robots capable of clearing obstacles exceeding 3.5 meters in height — a remarkable feat at miniature scale. His most influential work, "A locust-inspired miniature jumping robot" (2015), has garnered 152 citations and established a benchmark in the field, demonstrating how biological principles can overcome fundamental limitations of wheeled and legged ground vehicles. Subsequent research addressed the complete jumping cycle, from wing-spreading stabilization during flight (44 citations) to landing recovery and orientation control for enabling consecutive autonomous jumps — a critical challenge few researchers have tackled successfully. Weiss has also contributed meaningfully to understanding the scaling physics of jumping in small creatures and their robotic analogs, as well as multi-robot coordination for step-climbing applications. His body of work, totaling over 260 citations, represents a cohesive and impactful program advancing the mobility frontiers of miniature autonomous robots.