Insect-inspired drone can bounce back from a crash
The research is part of the growing field of light and flexible ‘soft’ robotics.
ALAIN HERZOG
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a bio-inspired aerial robot that combines rigidity and flexibility, allowing it to recover from collisions without breaking.
This content was published on
1 minute
EPFL/cl
This innovative hybrid drone is unique because it combines the strength and rigidity of insect wings while in flight, with the foldable flexibility of an origami sculpture upon impact.
“The current trend in robotics is to create ‘softer’ robots that can adapt to a given function and operate safely alongside humans. But some applications also require a certain level of rigidity,” said Dario Floreano, head of EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS), where the research was carried out. “With our system, we have shown that you can strike the right balance between the two.”
External Content
Layers of stiff plastic and pre-stretched elastic materials allow the drone’s body to stay rigid or bend depending on the situation. “When we make a drone, we can give it specific mechanical properties. This includes, for example, defining the moment at which the structure switches from stiff to flexible,” explained LIS researcher Stefano Mintchev.
Mintchev is the lead author on a paper, published this week in the journal Science RoboticsExternal link, which describes how the innovative drone technology could have wider robotics applications in aerospace, manufacturing, and even medicine.
Popular Stories
More
Life & Aging
Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss federal office sees no reason to end deportations of asylum-seekers to Croatia
This content was published on
Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) continues to deport asylum-seekers to Croatia. It thus rejects a demand from the Swiss Refugee Council in mid-February, which called for a halt to the returns.
ChatGPT responds to negative emotions and therapy, research shows
This content was published on
Stressful information can also cause anxiety in artificial intelligence (AI). As scientists in Zurich have shown, it's even possible to calm the GPT-4 AI model with mindfulness exercises.
Mortgage benchmark fall paves way for potential rent cuts in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland’s national benchmark for mortgage costs dropped to the level it had before the global inflation surge, paving the way for potential rent reductions.
Switzerland ‘deeply concerned’ by Trump’s death penalty order
This content was published on
Switzerland has told the UN Human Rights Council that it is "deeply concerned" by US President Donald Trump's recent executive order to strengthen capital punishment at federal and state level.
Blatter, Platini return to court for new fraud trial over CHF2 million FIFA payment
This content was published on
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini appeared in court in Switzerland on Monday accused of fraud - 2.5 years after they were cleared.
Israel criticises Swiss decision to host Middle East conference in Geneva on Friday
This content was published on
Israel has condemned Switzerland for planning to host a meeting on international humanitarian law in the Middle East next Friday in Geneva.
Centre Party’s Franziska Biner elected to Valais government
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland elected Franziska Biner to the cantonal government in the first round of voting, beating off more established politicians.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss scientists: ‘use your torso to pilot drones’
This content was published on
The torso is more intuitive – and more precise – than joysticks for piloting drones, both simulated and real, say EPFL scientists.
This content was published on
The earwig wing turns out to be more fascinating than it appears at first glance. It folds together in such a way that it can unfurl at the slightest touch into a flexible yet stable structure, and then fold back together again with minimum effort. Scientists at Zurich’s Federal Institute of TechnologyExternal link (ETHZ) and…
First ‘robot nerves’ set to revolutionise smart clothes
This content was published on
Swiss researchers have developed super-elastic, multi-material, high-performance fibres used as sensors on robotic fingers and in clothing.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.