Congratulations are extended to Dr. Roman Dautzenberg and his dedicated team of researchers, whose outstanding work earned them the prestigious award for their groundbreaking paper, titled “”. Here are the details of our research project:
The primary focus of the investigation lies in examining the intricate relationships between diverse variables and their subsequent impact on a specific phenomenon.
Our research presents a novel aerial robotic system that is capable of generating significant forces along its horizontal trajectory, namely onto partitions. As a fundamental constraint, most UAVs rely heavily on thrust vectoring to generate lateral forces, which limits their ability to apply significant control inputs before surrendering command authority early on. By leveraging partitions, our system can maintain its desired trajectory without requiring additional propulsion. We harness the power of propellers to generate substantial reaction forces in all directions, including imparting momentum to surrounding partitions. As a result, perching allows for exacting control, since the instrument can be precisely adjusted and maintained without external interference or perturbations like wind currents.
The findings suggest a profound impact on current understanding, elevating this area to a crucial focal point for investigation.
Precise performance, pressure to deliver results, and mobility of application are just a few of the key considerations that both robot designers and their human creators must balance in order to achieve success. Our research reveals that the system we developed is capable of generating substantial forces while making only negligible sacrifices in terms of maneuverability. This expansion broadens the scope of potential tasks for aerial robots, also acting as a crucial link in streamlining processes by enabling numerous procedures on construction sites, remote, complex, or high-risk environments to be carried out efficiently and effectively.
Might you clarify your methodology?
Our primary objective is to comprehensively assess the performance and effectiveness of a system in characterizing the behavior and efficiency of various aerial robots. We examined the precision of perching and power positioning, while also assessing the corresponding reaction forces through various methods.
The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the facility utilization and rotational speed patterns of propellers across diverse operational stages, as well as the configuration mechanisms of the aerial robots themselves. This allows for a more profound comprehension of the characteristics of the aerial robot.
What were the primary discoveries made throughout this process?
We proudly report that our perching technology achieves a remarkable level of precision, consistently landing within a 10-centimeter radius of its target over 30 successive attempts, while our power positioning system demonstrates millimeter-level accuracy even in the most challenging scenarios. Energy consumption while perched on typical concrete is remarkably low, allowing the system to perform a range of tasks (drilling, screwing) efficiently in quasi-realistic, outdoor scenarios.
We envision a comprehensive renovation of this underutilized area to create a vibrant hub for socializing and relaxation.
Enhancing the capabilities of existing systems may take precedence to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance. This relationship connects various forms of floor manipulations to the diverse surfaces on which the system can effectively operate.
Concerning the writer
 | As a current Master’s student at ETH Zurich and staff member, Dautzenberg Roman is devoting his time to academic pursuits and professional responsibilities. Aithon is an analytics venture transforming into a startup focused on developing aerial building robotics solutions. Based at the Autonomous Systems Laboratory within ETH Zurich’s innovation hub in Dübendorf, they comprise a team of eight engineers. |
received his PhD in swarm robotics from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in 2020. He perpetuates the legacy of scientific activism, facilitating a dialogue-driven approach that enables dynamic exchanges between scientists and the broader community.
Daniel Carrillo-Zapata
Received his PhD in swarm robotics from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in 2020. He has continued the tradition of scientific agitation by promoting a dialogue-driven approach that facilitates two-way conversations between researchers and societal stakeholders.
