Caltech engineers introduced the ATMO (Aerially Transforming MorphoBot), a pioneering robot capable of transforming in midair from a drone to a driving configuration. It utilizes four thrusters for flight, which also serve as wheels when grounded. This innovation allows for seamless transitions in operation, overcoming challenges where traditional robots might get stuck. Lead researcher Ioannis Mandralis emphasizes the robot's design is inspired by nature, mimicking animals' adaptability in movement. The ATMO's midair transformation promises significant advantages in both commercial delivery and exploration applications, despite aerodynamic complexities during the shape-shifting process.
"We designed and built a new robotic system that is inspired by nature -- by the way that animals can use their bodies in different ways to achieve different types of locomotion," says Ioannis Mandralis..."Having the ability to transform in the air unlocks a lot of possibilities for improved autonomy and robustness."
"Even though it seems simple when you watch a bird land and then run, in reality this is a problem that the aerospace industry has been struggling to deal with for..."
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