While autonomous flying robots have several advantages, their practicality is limited unless they can seamlessly traverse uneven terrain immediately upon landing. An innovative, bio-inspired robot is capable of accomplishing this feat by emulating the distinctive gait pattern exhibited by ravens.
The RAVEN system, aptly named Robotic Avian-inspired Car for numerous Environments, was designed by Gained Dong Shin and his team at Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). While it may initially appear counterintuitive, the unique blend of fixed and rotary components allows this aircraft to effortlessly soar through the skies.
Raven’s actual promoting level lies in its multi-jointed legs.
While not as intricately structured as a raven’s leg, these replicas still capture the distinctive features of their natural counterparts, mimicking the articulated hip, ankle, and foot joints with remarkable accuracy. The association enables robots to move with a natural gait, striding forward with each step, as well as navigate minor hurdles by jumping over them and scaling elevated terrain.
© 2024 EPFL/Alain Herzog (CC-BY-SA 4.0)
With wings unfolded, the robotic raven can seamlessly transition from a standing position to airborne lift-off, mimicking the iconic raven’s sudden and effortless flight capabilities. Assessments have consistently shown that accelerating takeoff velocity utilizing this approach yields a substantially more energy-efficient departure compared to launching without the aid of thrust?
Scientists report that multifunctional robotic legs offer innovative deployment options for traditional fixed-wing aircraft, enabling autonomous takeoffs and versatile gaits, according to a recently published paper in a prominent journal. .
Watch a raven effortlessly stroll, hop, leap, and soar through the accompanying video below.
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