InnovationInspired by an elephant’s trunk, this aerial robot arm lets drones grab, twist, and maneuver in ways rigid tools cannot.
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A drone equipped with a flexible, trunk-like robotic arm flies against a cloudy sky.
Drones are transforming how we inspect bridges, respond to disasters, and maintain infrastructure in hard-to-reach places. But they hit a wall when it comes to physically interacting with their environment.
Most struggle with tight spaces, awkward angles, and tasks that require both reach and finesse.
Now, researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have built a solution designed to overcome those limits.
Professor Peng Lu and his team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering have created the Aerial Elephant Trunk (AET), a flexible, shape-shifting robotic arm that attaches to drones and handles complex manipulation tasks with ease.
The AET could soon help drones take on more hands-on roles, from clearing disaster debris to maintaining high-voltage lines and cross-sea bridges.
Traditional aerial robots rely on rigid, mechanical arms with grippers. These designs often struggle with weight limits and a limited range of motion. The AET changes that. Inspired by the fluidity and adaptability of an elephant’s trunk, the robot uses a soft, flexible structure to grasp objects.
“By designing a highly compact aerial continuum arm, we can perform various aerial manipulation tasks in complex environments,” said Professor Lu.
The AET doesn’t need conventional grippers. Instead, it wraps around items of various sizes and shapes. This allows it to grasp objects that conventional drones cannot. “AET is extremely dexterous compared to existing aerial manipulators, as its body can change into any shape,” Professor Lu added.
“It can grasp objects of various sizes and shapes using its body, a capability that is almost impossible for conventional aerial manipulators, which can only grasp objects using grippers.”
Its ability to conform to different forms makes it especially useful in unpredictable environments.
The AET excels in spaces where most drones struggle. It can maneuver through narrow pipelines, snake around obstacles, and perform detailed tasks in confined areas.
This flexibility could prove essential in disaster response. Drones equipped with AET arms could remove debris from collapsed buildings or damaged power lines.
Their reach and precision also make them suitable for inspections and repairs on bridges or other infrastructure that’s difficult to access by ground.
As countries expand their use of drones for industrial and emergency applications, technologies like AET could drive the growth of the low-altitude economy. This sector includes aerial logistics, infrastructure monitoring, and remote-area servicing.
Professor Lu and his lab aim to improve aerial manipulation performance and reliability. The success of AET sets the stage for more advanced, versatile drone systems.
These could soon become essential tools in everything from public safety to energy maintenance.
With its unique combination of flexibility and functionality, AET redefines what’s possible in aerial robotics.
It doesn’t just extend a drone’s reach; it expands its role entirely.
The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.
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Source: Interesting Engineering
