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March 28, 2024

Graduate students at the University of Tokyo have gone above and beyond to change the way we see drones with their latest invention. They’ve created a set of futuristic drone prototypes that can change the shape of their structures in mid-air.

As you’ll see in the video below, this could be a game-changer if drones are used by companies or the military to move and transport items.

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How are these drones made?

The students were inspired by the idea of ​​dragons flying through the air, as we’ve seen in films such as Game of Thrones, and how they twist and turn their bodies as they fly.

The drone is built with a multi-axis gimbal system and has separate sections. A multi-axis gimbal system is a device that uses motors and sensors to stabilize and control the movement of a camera or other mounted object along multiple axes. It usually consists of a base and a platform that holds a camera or other equipment, and the base houses the motors and controllers. Also, in this case, each section has its multirotor propulsion unit, powering it and allowing it to propel in any direction.

The vehicle is constantly changing the shape of its structure in motion, which is why it moves a bit slowly in the video above. However, as you can see, it can handle basic tasks like pushing, pulling and grabbing objects. As such, its opportunities for use and potential practical applications are endless.

Students at the University of Tokyo have created a prototype of a futuristic drone that can change the shape of its structure in mid-air. (University of Tokyo)

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How to use these drones?

This cutting-edge technology could change the future of drone technology and its use. For example, companies such as Amazon can use it to move and ship their products. Or it could be used in search and rescue to change its shape and navigate in tight spaces or grab objects to transport them or push debris aside to clear a path. Another use could be grasping and picking fruits and vegetables in agriculture. It can also aid in space exploration and be used to create spacecraft that can adapt to different conditions in space. Additionally, the military could use the technology to adapt to different terrain types, such as driving through forests or traversing rough terrain.

The fact that drones are able to change the shape of structures on the fly makes their use possibilities endless. Notably, the University of Tokyo team is still working on perfecting the drones, trying to make them move faster and have more flexibility.

SPIDAR is a quadruped robot with joints for locomotion at the hip and knee joints of each leg.

SPIDAR is a quadruped robot with joints for locomotion at the hip and knee joints of each leg. (University of Tokyo)

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What other projects are students working on?

Students also recently created a prototype called SPIDAR, which stands for SPsheIcally can be vector-summed ManDistributed Rotor Assist Aground amphibious quadruped RAobao. We know it’s quite a lot.

Essentially, SPIDAR is a quadruped robot with joints on each leg at the hip and knee. Joints are designed to help the robot move around. However, its movement is still very slow, it can only walk for about 20 minutes and fly for about 9 minutes. It is hoped that the students will continue to develop prototypes that will eventually be able to hold and manipulate two objects at the same time. The video below shows the progress made so far on SPIDAR.

Should we be worried about this new drone technology?

As with all new technologies, it has its pros and cons. While the potential applications of these drones seem exciting and limitless, there are also potential downsides to consider.

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One downside could be that these drones could be used for malicious purposes, such as espionage or terrorism. Their ability to change shape and maneuver in tight spaces can be difficult to spot and track. Another downside is the impact on jobs, especially in agriculture, where these types of drones could replace humans in tasks such as picking crops. I am also concerned about privacy and surveillance, if they are used for unauthorized surveillance, violating your right to privacy.

I think it’s critical to consider these potential downsides when exploring the possibilities of this new technology. As this technology emerges, I truly believe it is also important to have regulations and policies in place that will help mitigate any negative impacts.

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What do you think of these drones so far? Let us know what you think.

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