Folding Membrane Wings Spread Out Freely: Flying Squirrel Drone
- SEOUL (yonhap) — Researchers at POSTECH have developed a novel drone inspired by the flying squirrel, enabling rapid deceleration mid-flight.
- Professor Han Soo-hee's team at POSTECH recently unveiled their creation in the journal *IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters*.
- The drone features a silicone membrane system integrated between the four arms of a standard quadcopter.This membrane can be deployed to increase air resistance, effectively acting as a...
Flying Squirrel-Inspired Drone Achieves Rapid Deceleration
Table of Contents
- Flying Squirrel-Inspired Drone Achieves Rapid Deceleration
- Flying Squirrel Drone: Your questions Answered
- What is the Flying Squirrel Drone?
- How does the Flying Squirrel Drone work?
- What inspired the design of this drone?
- Who developed the Flying Squirrel Drone?
- Where was this research published?
- What is the “Thrust Wing Control” (TWCC) strategy?
- How does the TWCC strategy improve drone performance?
- Can the Flying Squirrel Drone operate autonomously?
- what are the potential future applications of this drone technology?
- What are the key features of the Flying Squirrel Drone?
SEOUL (yonhap) — Researchers at POSTECH have developed a novel drone inspired by the flying squirrel, enabling rapid deceleration mid-flight. The innovative design, dubbed the “Flying Squirrel Drone,” incorporates foldable silicone membranes that mimic the gliding capabilities of its namesake.
Professor Han Soo-hee’s team at POSTECH recently unveiled their creation in the journal *IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters*. The drone’s design allows it to quickly reduce speed by deploying a skin-like covering, drawing inspiration from how flying squirrels extend the membrane between their wrists and ankles to glide and slow down before landing.
Design and Functionality
The drone features a silicone membrane system integrated between the four arms of a standard quadcopter.This membrane can be deployed to increase air resistance, effectively acting as a brake.
Thrust Wing Control Strategy
To optimize the drone’s deceleration capabilities, the research team developed a Thrust Wing Control (TWCC) strategy. This system utilizes artificial neural networks to predict air resistance when the drone deploys its wings.
According to the team, the AI-powered system determines the optimal moment to deploy the wings and adjusts rotor thrust accordingly.This allows for precise control during deceleration maneuvers.
Improved Control Efficiency
Testing revealed that the TWCC strategy improved control efficiency by 13.1% in maneuvering situations, such as sudden stops, compared to conventional blade control systems.
Microcontroller Operation
Notably, the drone can be operated using low-performance microcontrollers, allowing it to function autonomously without relying on external computers or communication systems, according to the researchers.
Future Applications
Professor Han stated that this research builds upon previous conceptual work by incorporating technology that significantly enhances maneuverability. The growth paves the way for drones that can navigate complex environments and perform tasks requiring precise speed control.
Flying Squirrel Drone: Your questions Answered
What is the Flying Squirrel Drone?
The Flying Squirrel Drone is a novel drone developed by researchers at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) in South Korea. It’s an innovative design inspired by the remarkable gliding capabilities of flying squirrels, enabling the drone to achieve rapid deceleration mid-flight.the drone incorporates foldable silicone membranes that mimic the way flying squirrels glide and slow down.
How does the Flying Squirrel Drone work?
The drone utilizes a system of silicone membranes integrated between the four arms of a standard quadcopter.These membranes can be deployed to increase air resistance, effectively acting as a brake. This allows the drone to quickly reduce its speed.
What inspired the design of this drone?
The design of the flying squirrel Drone was directly inspired by the natural abilities of flying squirrels. The researchers observed how these animals use the membrane between their wrists and ankles to glide and slow down before landing. This natural mechanism was then replicated in the drone’s design.
Who developed the Flying Squirrel Drone?
The Flying Squirrel Drone was developed by a research team at POSTECH (Pohang University of science and Technology), led by Professor Han Soo-hee.
Where was this research published?
The research detailing the Flying Squirrel Drone was published in the journal IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters.
What is the “Thrust Wing Control” (TWCC) strategy?
The Thrust Wing Control (TWCC) strategy is a refined system developed to optimize the drone’s deceleration capabilities.This AI-powered system uses artificial neural networks to predict air resistance when the drone deploys its wings. It determines the optimal moment to deploy the wings and adjusts rotor thrust accordingly for precise deceleration control.
How does the TWCC strategy improve drone performance?
The TWCC strategy substantially enhances the drone’s control efficiency. Testing showed that the TWCC strategy improved control efficiency by 13.1% in maneuvering situations, such as sudden stops, compared to conventional blade control systems.
Can the Flying Squirrel Drone operate autonomously?
Yes, the drone can operate autonomously. The researchers designed it to function using low-performance microcontrollers, eliminating the need for external computers or continuous communication systems.
what are the potential future applications of this drone technology?
Professor Han Soo-hee suggests that this technology could pave the way for drones capable of navigating complex environments and performing tasks that require precise speed control. Potential applications include:
Search and Rescue: Swift maneuvering and controlled deceleration in challenging environments.
Delivery Services: Precision landing capabilities for safe and accurate deliveries.
* Surveillance: Enhanced agility and control for various surveillance tasks.
What are the key features of the Flying Squirrel Drone?
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the Flying Squirrel Drone:
| Feature | Description |
| ———————— | ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Inspiration | Inspired by flying squirrels’ gliding and deceleration abilities. |
| Deceleration Mechanism | Utilizes foldable silicone membranes to increase air resistance, acting as a brake. |
| control System | Employs the thrust Wing Control (TWCC) strategy,using AI to optimize wing deployment and rotor thrust. |
| Control Efficiency | Improves control efficiency notably during sudden stops. |
| Autonomy | Can operate autonomously using low-performance microcontrollers, without external computers or continuous communication systems. |
| Potential Applications| Search and Rescue, Delivery Services, Surveillance. |