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Published on: July 12, 2014
Perching and takeoff of a robotic insect on overhangs using switchable electrostatic adhesion
M A Graule1, P Chirarattananon2, S B Fuller3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. graule@mit.edu rjwood@seas.harvard.edu.
Researchers developed a novel switchable electroadhesive for aerial robots. This technology allows robots to perch on diverse surfaces using minimal power, overcoming flight time limitations.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Bio-inspired Engineering
Background:
- Aerial robots face limitations in flight duration due to power and mechanical constraints.
- Existing perching robots require specialized landing surfaces, limiting their versatility.
- Biologically inspired perching offers a solution to extend aerial robot operational time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a versatile perching mechanism for aerial robots.
- To enable robots to land and remain attached to a wide variety of materials.
- To significantly reduce the power consumption associated with aerial robot perching.
Main Methods:
- Design and characterization of a novel switchable electroadhesive technology.
- Integration of the electroadhesive onto a flying robotic insect.
- Testing the perching and detachment capabilities on diverse materials.
Main Results:
- The switchable electroadhesive enables controlled perching and detachment on various materials, including glass, wood, and natural leaves.
- The electroadhesive requires significantly less power (three orders of magnitude) compared to sustained flight.
- Demonstrated robust perching capabilities of the robotic insect on multiple surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Switchable electroadhesives offer a power-efficient and versatile solution for aerial robot perching.
- This technology overcomes previous material-specific limitations of robotic perching systems.
- Enables extended aerial robot missions and new applications requiring stable, high-vantage-point operation.
