Researchers have engineered a remarkable drone capable of walking, jumping, and taking flight—all thanks to bird-inspired legs. This innovative technology opens up a world of possibilities,allowing drones to access environments previously deemed impossible.Developed by the Clever Systems Lab at EPFL, led by Dario Floreano, the RAVEN drone takes its name from “Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments.” Inspired by agile birds like crows and ravens, RAVEN boasts multifunctional legs that enable it to take off autonomously in challenging territories inaccessible to traditional winged drones.
“Birds truly paved the way for aviation,” explains Won Dong Shin, a doctoral candidate in details and communication sciences. “Even today’s planes can’t match the agility of birds. They seamlessly transition between walking,running,and soaring,without the need for runways or launchers. Robotics is only now beginning to replicate these remarkable capabilities.”
The design of RAVEN prioritizes versatility and lightness.Shin, drawing inspiration from the anatomy of bird legs and years of observing crows on the EPFL campus, crafted lightweight yet powerful avian-inspired legs for the fixed-wing drone. Through meticulous mathematical modeling, computer simulations, and hands-on experimentation, he achieved a delicate balance between complexity and weight, resulting in a drone weighing just 0.62 kg.
The legs strategically position the heaviest components near the “body,” while a combination of springs and motors mimic the birds’ powerful tendons and muscles. The birdlike feet, comprising two articulated structures, provide passive elastic articulation, enabling walking, hops, and even jumps over obstacles up to 26 centimeters high.
Researchers have tested various takeoff methods, including standing jumps and freefall deployments, discovering that the jump takeoff provides the moast efficient use of kinetic and potential energy.
This groundbreaking research is the result of a collaboration between the LIS, Auke Ijspeert’s bio-robotics laboratory at EPFL, and Monica Daley’s neuro-mechanics lab at the University of California, Irvine. By bridging the gap between avian biomechanics and robotics,they have unveiled the secrets behind the power and efficiency of bird legs.
RAVEN’s unique capabilities transcend mere technological achievement. Imagine drones navigating treacherous terrains, delivering supplies to remote areas, or assisting in disaster relief—all without human intervention.
The EPFL team is continuously refining RAVEN’s leg design and control systems to further enhance its landing capabilities in diverse environments.As Floreano notes, “the coordination between bird wings and legs remains an area of active research. RAVEN represents a notable step towards understanding and replicating these complex movements in agile and energy-efficient drones.”
How does the RAVEN project integrate bird biomechanics into its drone design?
Interview with Won Dong Shin: Unleashing the Future of Drones with the RAVEN Project
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Won Dong Shin, a doctoral candidate involved in the groundbreaking RAVEN project at EPFL. Your team’s work on a versatile drone inspired by bird biomechanics is remarkable. Can you start by explaining the motivation behind developing the RAVEN drone?
Won Dong Shin: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The motivation stemmed from our fascination with avian agility. Birds have an unparalleled ability to transition between walking, running, and flying without needing runways. We noticed that despite advancements in aviation, conventional drones still struggle in certain environments. We aimed to create a drone that could navigate challenging terrains by mimicking bird movements—so the RAVEN, which stands for Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! The bird-inspired legs of RAVEN are a crucial aspect of its design. What unique features do these legs provide, and how do they enhance the drone’s capabilities?
Won Dong Shin: The legs are lightweight yet powerful, designed after extensive observations of crows. They incorporate springs and motors that replicate the tendons and muscles of birds. This synergy allows RAVEN to perform various movements such as walking, hopping, and even jumping over obstacles up to 26 centimeters high. These functionalities enable the drone to access areas that traditional winged drones cannot, greatly expanding its operational scope.
Time.news Editor: With the ability to walk, jump, and fly, what practical applications do you see for RAVEN in various industries?
Won Dong Shin: RAVEN opens up numerous possibilities across several sectors. As an example, in disaster relief, it can traverse uneven terrains to deliver supplies to remote areas that are hard to reach. In agriculture, RAVEN could be employed for monitoring crops or assessing damage in challenging landscapes.The versatility of this drone allows for numerous applications where traditional drones fall short, providing critical support in real-time scenarios.
Time.news Editor: The development of this technology seems to be a collaboration between various research groups. Can you tell us about the importance of teamwork in achieving the RAVEN project’s goals?
Won Dong Shin: Collaboration was vital. The joint effort between EPFL’s bio-robotics laboratory and neuro-mechanics lab at UC Irvine allowed us to merge insights from avian biomechanics with robotics. By pooling our expertise, we were able to decode the secrets behind the power and efficiency of bird legs more effectively than we could have done alone. This blend of disciplines is key to pushing the boundaries of robotics.
Time.news Editor: Continuous improvement seems pivotal in this field. What future advancements can we expect for RAVEN, and how is your team working on enhancing its landing capabilities?
Won Dong Shin: Absolutely.Our current focus is on refining RAVEN’s leg design and control systems to improve landing accuracy in various environments. We’re researching the complex coordination between bird wings and legs, as mastering this synchronization could further enhance RAVEN’s agility and energy efficiency.as we gather more data and insights, we aim to bring even more advanced features to the drone.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, for our readers who are interested in the future of drones and robotics, what practical advice would you offer regarding their development and application?
Won Dong Shin: I would encourage aspiring researchers and engineers to embrace interdisciplinary approaches—blend biology with engineering, robotics, and computational modeling.Observing nature can provide invaluable inspiration for solving complex design challenges. Also, keeping an open mind towards collaboration can lead to incredible innovations, just like what we’ve seen with the RAVEN project. Innovation often lies at the intersection of different fields.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Won Dong Shin, for providing such valuable insights into the world of avian-inspired drones. We look forward to seeing how RAVEN evolves and impacts various industries.
Won Dong Shin: Thank you for having me. Exciting times are ahead in the world of robotics!