Caltech engineers managed to create a real “transformer” – a revolutionary development in robotics for air and ground operations. Appointed ATMO (short for Morphobot air transformation)The robot can go from a flying drone to a roll rover while being in the air. This innovative design offers a long -standing challenge to face hybrid robots: finding yourself stuck on rugged field when you try to transform after landing.
Atmo's unique capacity to change its modes in a transparent way – without stopping or requires a perfectly flat landing surface – considerably stimulates its agility and reliability. This capacity could prove to be invaluable in a wide range of applications, from autonomous commercial deliveries to robotic exploration in unpredictable or dangerous environments.
The intelligent robot mechanism implies four flight propellers, whose protection are raised as wheels for ground mobility. The whole transformation is managed by a single central engine which precisely adjusts a seal, by moving the propellants up for the drone or downward mode for the driving mode.
According to Ioannis Mandralis, a student graduated in aerospace of Caltech and the main research author, the design of the robot is inspired by nature, imitating how animals adapt their body to different types of movement. This transformation into air unlocks substantial possibilities of improving autonomy and resilience in robots.
However, the execution of such a transition in the air has complex aerodynamic challenges. Forces near the ground, combined with the constantly evolving form of the robot, create significant turbulence and instability. Overcoming these dynamics has been a persistent struggle for the aerospace industry for more decades.
To meet these challenges, the Caltech team has carried out in -depth tests, in particular the experiments of load cells and a visualization of smoke at the Caltech Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST). Ideas have obtained information from the development of the Atmo sophisticated control system, which uses an advanced method known as the predictive model control. This system constantly foresees the future behavior of the robot, allowing it to quickly adjust its actions and maintain stability during transformation. Mandralis stresses that this control algorithm represents the most important innovation in the project, dealing with a previously unexplored dynamic system in this context.
Research is detailed in the document “ATMO: an aerial transforming morphobot for the dynamic transition of the aircraft soil».
This breakthrough allows Atmo to make stable “dynamic wheels”, with its wheels already in position to start immediately to roll. By solving the transition challenge, ATMO opens new doors for versatile robotic systems that can adapt to dynamic environments without human intervention. Potential use cases include the delivery of the last mile in urban areas, the exploration of disaster areas and extraterrestrial missions on gross planetary areas.
Projects like Atmo, alongside UAV Solutions Advanced QudataUnderline a key trend in the development of modern robotics: The creation of integrated multifunctional systems that adapt perfectly to any environment and task. This approach considerably extends automation capacities and stimulates efficiency in a wide range of industries.
