A giant drone to transport humans and goods, a drone that transforms into a lifebuoy, a drone capable of flying like a bird… In recent years, there has been immense progress in the design of this remotely piloted machine. distance. Designers compete with ideas to manufacture increasingly innovative, efficient and atypical models. In Switzerland, researchers from EPFL, specializing in the field of science and technology, have manufactured a drone capable of walking, jumping and flying. Its particularity? It has light legs similar to those of a crow.
A drone inspired by birds
EPFL scientists were inspired by avian anatomy to design the RAVEN model (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments). The latter is about the same size as a crow, with a wingspan of 100 cm and a body length of 50 cm, and weighs about 620 g. According to Won Dong Shina doctoral student at the Swiss University’s Intelligent Systems Laboratory, this drone can cover a distance of one meter in just under four seconds. He can also jump over 12cm gaps and jump to the top of a 26cm obstacle. When it jumps to take off, its legs propel it to a starting altitude of almost half a meter, with a forward speed of 2.2 m/s.
Mechanical legs to facilitate takeoff
Thanks to its mechanical legs, RAVEN can move easily on the ground and perform jumping takeoffslike crows do. The designers point out that they adopted some key principles of biological design, such as the ability to store and release energy in tendon-like springs. With this concept, it is no longer necessary to resort to tricks, often ineffective, such as using a bunch of extra propellers to take off. Won Dong Shin explains that they chose a springy joint in the drone’s toe design, to allow it to jump at the correct angle for takeoff, but also to perform multiple walking patterns.
For them, jumping is ten times more energy efficient than a stationary takeoff. The jump takeoff requires a slightly higher energy input. However, researchers believe that this method is the most efficient and quickest to convert actuation energy into kinetic energy and potential for theft.
Multifunctional legs
According to Won Dong ShinSouth African start-up Passerine had a similar idea, including incorporating the concept of jump takeoff into a fixed-wing drone. Except that this one focused solely on a mechanism for jumping, while the EPFL researchers focused focused on multifunctional legs. The doctoral student hopes that, just like birds, RAVEN will also be able to do more with its legs. “ Birds use their legs to slow down and reduce impact, and this same principle could be applied to RAVEN’s legs […] There’s also swimming, perching and hanging, with a new leg design », he indicates.
The doctoral student believes that it is possible in the future to create even more versatile drones and capable of using multiple modes of travel. More information on the EPFL website. I find this drone very successful, I like when technology copies nature, and what do you think? I invite you to give us your opinion, your comments or point out an error in the text, click here to post a comment.
