A team of engineers from Zhejiang University in the Chinese mainland has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology: plant-inspired soft drone grippers. These biomimetic grippers enable drones to perform delicate tasks with unprecedented precision, such as retrieving a key from a tree branch or collecting branches from moving water.
Traditional UAV grippers often struggle with dynamically grabbing objects, limiting their versatility in various environments. Drawing inspiration from climbing plants, the researchers designed two unique U-shaped, eccentric circular tube actuators. The U-shaped bending capability allows these grippers to securely grasp objects using either a hook or a vine-like rope, offering both strength and adaptability.
The study, featured as a cover story in the latest edition of Science Advances, highlights two distinct grippers: one inspired by soft tendril climbers for delicate handling, and another inspired by hook climbers for tasks requiring a stronger grip. These advancements enable UAVs to interact more effectively with both fragile and heavy objects, enhancing their performance in multiple environments.
Beyond improved object manipulation, these soft grippers pave the way for UAVs to take on significant environmental protection roles, such as removing garbage from rivers. The research team emphasized that the soft grippers allow for efficient UAV transportation in challenging terrains like steep mountain slopes, where drones can wind around or hook objects with manual assistance.
This innovative approach not only enhances the functionality of UAVs but also expands their potential applications, making drones more versatile tools for a wide range of tasks worldwide.
Reference(s):
China develops plant-inspired soft drone grippers for delicate tasks
cgtn.com
