Swiss researchers have created a drone capable of attaching to poles and tree trunks
Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) have created a drone capable of landing on vertical supports. The developed drone, called PercHug, copies the gecko landing technique.
Drones that can cling to trees already exist. But their landing methods typically involve claws, spikes, and grappling. Engineers, on the other hand, sought a passive methodology applicable both in the urban environment and in nature.
How does it work?
Inspired by the way geckos land on tree trunks, scientists have created a winged UAV with a rigid tail. The total weight of the drone is 550 grams and the wingspan is 96 centimeters. During flight, the wings are held in place by a tension cable.
When the drone collides with a support, the upwardly curved nose turns the drone from a horizontal position to the vertical position required for hovering. The collision triggers a system of latches that releases the cable. The wings fold around the support under the action of the springs, fixing the drone in place.
This method of planting avoids overweighting the structure with additional elements designed for grasping. Instead, the existing wings of the drone are used to fix it to the support. The tail, like the tail of a gecko, also plays an important role in the process of landing and hovering.
Tests showed that even when the wings covered the tree trunk, the drone sometimes slipped down. Additional removable hooks helped to solve the problem.
The developed drone is a prototype and is not yet equipped with an engine. The researchers plan to create the next version of PercHug, equipped with a motor, to perform tasks that require moving along a support, such as inspecting buildings or infrastructure.
According to the scientists, their development can be used in various fields, including safe inspection of buildings and structures, environmental monitoring, and studying animal behavior in the wild.
A description of the development was published in the Communications Engineering journal.
