The idea came from observing the crows flying and landing in front of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Led by Dario Floreano, a team from the EPFL Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology has designed a robot that reproduces the motor skills of crows. Called RAVEN for “Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments”, the machine can fly but also perform other movements considered more complex, such as walking on any terrain or jumping.
“Old robots designed for walking were too heavy for jumping, while those created for jumping did not have feet suitable for walking,” says EPFL. RAVEN’s unique design allows it to cross gaps and even jump onto a raised surface 26 centimeters high.”
Terrestrial skills that the machine uses to maximize its flight performance like real birds. “Birds can alternate walking and running to fly or land, without the help of a track or a launcher,” Won Dong Shin, a doctoral student who participated in the project, told the journal Swiss school. Engineering platforms for this type of movement are still lacking in robotics.”
“The optimal balance between complexity and weight”
The team of researchers particularly focused on the robot’s legs. Their simple appearance, reminiscent of a bird, required mathematical models and computer simulations to be developed. As a result, their weight of 620 grams is “the optimal balance between the complexity of the legs and the total weight of the drone”, according to EPFL. During its presentation (video above), the robot uses its many joints to walk one foot in front of the other or hop like a real bird.
Fixed-wing drones (with wings) cannot take off without momentum. Equipped with legs that allow them to project themselves, their range of action could be greatly increased. And, by no longer needing to propel themselves at high speed to take off, they would also offer significant energy gains.
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