What's happening?

The sun rises over the dusty landscape. Everywhere, the red ground is dusty. In the distance, there is a giant rocky mountain. 

The only thing moving is a little robot. It switches on and stretches its four legs. It takes one step towards the steep hill. Then, it jumps 10 metres into the air.

Scientists are developing a new robot to explore the surface of MarsThe fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System. . It has four legs that allow it to hop.

The robot has been named SpaceBok. It is based on a kind of antelope called the springbokA kind of antelope with brown and white markings that live in southern Africa. The nickname of South Africa's rugby team is the Springboks..

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To test the robot, scientists placed it on a steep slope and a floating platform. In both cases, it could walk or bounce easily.

They hope it will one day be able to explore on Mars. There is low gravityAn invisible force that pulls objects towards each other. Earth's gravity keeps us on the ground and makes things fall. It is less strong on Mars. on the planet. This makes jumping a good way of getting around.

The scientists who built Springbok used nature for ideas in their designs.

They built the robot to jump in the same way as a springbokA kind of antelope with brown and white markings that live in southern Africa. The nickname of South Africa's rugby team is the Springboks..

Yes! The SpaceBok is just one example. But there are lots more. The Japanese Bullet Train is inspired by birds. And the markers on roads are based on real cats' eyes. Nature is the best inventor!

Not always. Lots of our best inventions are not based on nature at all. We have made engines, boats and skyscrapers. It is good to be inspired by nature. But sometimes we do not need it.