Modular DRAGON Changes Shape in Mid-Air

Jun-30-18 The hovering, modular DRAGON robot can change its shape in midflight to fit through tight spaces.

Developed by a team from the University of Tokyo, the DRAGON (Dual-rotor embedded multilink Robot with the Ability of multi-deGree-of-freedom aerial transformatiON) is able to change its shape on the fly with the help of its linked modules made up of pairs of ducted fan thrusters. When the airborne bot encounters an obstacle, the fans will trigger the modules to roll or pitch and change the DRAGON’s shape. The DRAGON can stay airborne for about three minutes, and an Intel Euclid functions as the bot’s eyes and control center—detecting the obstacle and enabling it to choose which shape will fit through it.

More Info about this Invention:

[FUTURISM.COM]
[SPECTRUM.IEEE.ORG]

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