Researchers at Arizona State University unveiled a look at the SoBAR Drone, which is an experimental iteration of a classic drone that is highlighted by its inflatable body. Due to this structure, the drone is able to bounce off of obstacles and even cling onto them depending on the circumstance. The SoBAR drone is short for 'soft-bodied aerial robot. It features the same electronic elements as a regular drone but the key difference is the frame. It is made from a high-strength polyurethane-coated nylon fabric material, which is able to inflate on command.
Associate Professor Wenlong Zhang notes, "Their rigid frames compromise resilience to collision, so bumping into posts, beams, pipes, or cables in a wrecked structure is often catastrophic. They don’t recover: they crash. Drones need to physically interact with their surroundings to accomplish a range of tasks. A soft body not only absorbs impact forces to provide collision resilience; it also offers the material compliance necessary for dynamic maneuvers such as perching."
Inflatable Body Digital Drones
The SoBAR Drone Has an On-Demand Inflatable Fabric Frame
Trend Themes
1. Inflatable Drones - The use of inflatable materials for drone frames could provide better collision resilience and enable dynamic maneuvers like perching.
2. Soft-bodied Aerial Robots - Soft-bodied drones can improve performance in situations where a rigid frame could be compromised, such as in wrecks or when interacting with objects.
3. Obstacle-responsive Drones - Drones that can bounce off of obstacles and even cling onto them could be particularly useful in search and rescue or surveillance operations.
Industry Implications
1. Drone Manufacturing - Drone manufacturers could incorporate inflatable materials in their designs to improve performance in certain situations.
2. Search and Rescue - Inflatable drones with obstacle-responsive capabilities could aid in search and rescue operations in difficult terrain or disaster zones.
3. Surveillance - Soft-bodied aerial robots could have applications in the surveillance industry with their ability to bounce off of and cling onto obstacles for better visibility and maneuverability.