Here is Raven: This bird-inspired drone can walk, hop and jump for take-off

Here is Raven: This bird-inspired drone can walk, hop and jump for take-off

Mangalore Today /indiatoday

New Delhi, December 09, 2024:  RAVEN - The drone weighs just 0.62 kg and features custom avian-inspired legs that mimic the proportions and mechanics of bird limbs.

Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have unveiled a nee robotic drone named Raven (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments), inspired by the agile movements of birds like crows and ravens.

1. It mimics the proportions and mechanics of bird limbs. 2. This innovative design allows RAVEN to seamlessly transition. 3. RAVEN could revolutionise drone applications.

This innovative design allows Raven to seamlessly transition between walking, hopping, and flying, making it capable of operating in environments previously inaccessible to traditional winged drones.

Led by Dario Floreano, the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS) developed Raven to maximise gait diversity while minimising weight.

PhD student Won Dong Shin utilised mathematical models, computer simulations, and experimental iterations to create a system that keeps heavier components close to the body while employing springs and motors to replicate avian muscle dynamics.

Raven’s unique design enables it to jump into flight from a standing position or after a fall, optimizing energy use during takeoff. The robot can also navigate rough terrain, jump over obstacles, and even ascend surfaces up to 26 centimeters high.

“Birds can transition between walking and flying without needing a runway, but engineering such capabilities in robotics has been challenging,” Shin noted.

The research team collaborated with experts from UC Irvine’s Neuromechanics Lab and EPFL’s BioRobotics Lab to adapt bird biomechanics for robotic locomotion.

Their findings, published in Nature, suggest that Raven could revolutionise drone applications in fields such as search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and disaster relief.

Despite its advancements, the team is still refining Raven’s landing capabilities to ensure it can operate effectively in diverse environments.

Floreano emphasised that understanding the coordination between legs and wings in both birds and drones is crucial for future innovations in agile and energy-efficient robotic designs.

As they continue their work, Raven is on the brink of potential biomimicry in robotics.