Stanford’s micro-drones can grab and take heavy loads, open doors

Earlier this year, Boston Dynamics discovered that his robot SpotMini could now open the door with a manipulative hand. But even though Mini is called, this quadruple bot may not be small enough to jump or move through the ruins caused by earthquake. The microdron can be better adapted to such situations. Even better if he could lift a heavy load. Researchers at Stanford University have changed robots that are flying so they can slip and move objects 40 times higher.

Stanford researchers have called their FlyCroTug creation, which describes what is capable of flying, tilting and pulling. Its small size means it can fly through small spaces and get closer to people, which will be useful for search and rescue situations.

Mini-drones can fly to disaster fields, various land types and temporarily cement on various surfaces. This is possible thanks to gecko-inspired smooth surface adhesives or 32 hooks similar to microscopes inspired by insects for rough surfaces, both of which were previously developed in the Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Laboratories.

“Or I can fly fast to a piece of food, and then if it’s too hard to get off, they pull it off the ground,” Labor Mark Cutkosky said. “So this was the beginning of inspiration for the approach we have taken.”

Each FlyCroTug is equipped with a small windshield so that when it lands, it can remove waste up to 40 times the weight, shrink the camera so rescuers can study the area or even open the door.

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