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| Taking Flight to New Heights: Winged Robot Lands Like a Bird for the First Time |
What makes this winged robot's perching capability significant?
A team of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the University of Seville have developed a winged robot that can land horizontally on an object and perch using a robotic claw, similar to how a real bird performs this movement. The technology represents a major achievement for flapping-wing, or ornithopter robots, and could potentially expand their applications in commercial or scientific endeavors.
The robotic landing gear, which weighs approximately 1.5 pounds, was built and tested by Raphael Zufferey, a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems and Biorobotics at EPFL's School of Engineering, in collaboration with colleagues at both universities. The landing gear is the first phase of a larger project that aims to create a robot capable of performing autonomous and useful tasks for various applications.
The team faced several engineering challenges in developing the ornithopter's perching capability. The robot had to slow down significantly as it landed while keeping it in flight, and it had to perceive its environment and the perch in front of it in relation to its own position, speed, and trajectory. The development of the claw that allows the robot to hold onto its perch was also a tricky balancing act. It had to be strong enough to support the robot's weight without being too heavy that it couldn't stay in the air.
The team optimized the robot's control system to absorb its forward momentum upon impact, as well as support its weight quickly and solidly after landing. Currently, most winged robots can only fly, which requires continuous energy and limits the life of their batteries. However, if they could stop and rest on a perch, like actual birds do, they could recharge using renewable energy, allowing them to carry out longer-range missions or tasks.
This technology could revolutionize the use of flapping-wing robots, which, as of now, can only perform free flights, for manipulation tasks and other real-world applications. The team plans to continue making improvements to the device and exploring how it can perform perching and manipulation tasks outdoors in a more unpredictable environment.
In conclusion, this technology represents a significant milestone in the development of robotic systems that can perform useful tasks autonomously. The potential applications are vast, ranging from collecting biological samples or measurements from trees to performing perching and manipulation tasks on artificial structures. The development of this winged robot marks a new chapter in robotics, and we can expect to see many more exciting breakthroughs in the years to come.
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