Researchers at City University of Hong Kong, led by Professor Pakpong Chirarattananon, have developed a revolutionary robot named “Hopcopter.” This hybrid robot seamlessly combines the capabilities of a quadcopter with a spring-loaded telescopic leg, allowing for effortless transitions between aerial flight and terrestrial hopping. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in robotic mobility, potentially revolutionizing various industries, including the travel technology sector. The research, titled “An agile monopedal hopping quadcopter with synergistic hybrid locomotion,” was published in the prestigious journal Science Robotics. This innovative robot design was achieved by integrating a passive elastic leg with a nano quadcopter, resulting in a robot capable of efficient energy storage and release without direct leg actuation. This design enables the Hopcopter to alternate between flying and hopping, significantly extending its operational time and versatility. Flying robots, like quadcopters, have become increasingly popular for recreational purposes, surveillance, and research. However, they face limitations in terms of flight duration and load capacity. Inspired by nature, where animals like parrotlets and sparrows efficiently combine jumping and flying to navigate their environments, researchers aimed to replicate this natural efficiency in robots. However, previous robots capable of both jumping and flying often struggled with maintaining continuous hopping, adjusting jump height, or sustaining flight for extended periods. The CityUHK research team addressed these limitations by incorporating a spring-loaded telescopic leg into a quadrotor, creating the Hopcopter. This passive elastic leg allows for energy storage and release, enabling the robot to move efficiently and switch between flying and hopping. Demonstrations of the Hopcopter’s capabilities showcase its impressive performance, achieving hopping speeds of 2.38 meters per second and reaching heights of 1.63 meters, surpassing the capabilities of state-of-the-art jumping robots. The Hopcopter can also navigate uneven surfaces, making it suitable for search and rescue missions, and utilize its leg as a bumper to prevent damage. Dr. Bai Songnan, Postdoc of BME and co-first author of the study, highlighted the Hopcopter’s potential to increase its range and operating time, making it a valuable tool for various industries. Professor Chirarattananon expressed excitement about how this technology can be adapted to address different challenges in robotics and beyond. The research team plans to further refine the Hopcopter’s design and explore its potential applications in real-world scenarios. The development of the Hopcopter has significant implications for the travel technology industry and travelers worldwide. By enhancing the mobility and efficiency of robots, this innovation can improve various aspects of travel and tourism, including: *
Enhanced Security:
The Hopcopter’s agility and ability to navigate uneven terrain can be utilized for enhanced security patrols in airports, hotels, and other travel destinations.*
Improved Maintenance:
The Hopcopter’s flying and hopping capabilities allow for efficient inspection and maintenance of infrastructure, such as bridges, power lines, and pipelines, enhancing safety and reliability.*
