Dragon robots can change aerial shapes

Robot Dragon consists of 4 parts joined together and can move flexibly in narrow spaces.

The team of robotics experts at Tokyo University built Dragon robots with the ability to fly for a short time and rearrange their parts, Futurism reported on June 26. Dragon consists of 4 main parts, each equipped with two propellers. They are connected by battery-operated joints. This robot can sense the surrounding space and determine which shape to move to pass a given area.

Dragon robots change shape while flying.(Video: IEEE Spectrum).

The construction of self-driving flying equipment operating in the home met many challenges, including moving in a narrow space. Developers often precede two options, according to IEEE Spectrum. The first is to shrink the flying device, but they may be too weak and do not perform many tasks. The second way is to make an external protection frame, but this will also limit the ability to operate.

Currently Dragon can only maintain flight status for about three minutes. However, this robot is still flexible and has great power. The team intends to increase the number of components to 12 and add clamps for robots to grasp and move objects.

Dragon robots go through narrow spaces.(Video: IEEE Spectrum).

In the future, the more advanced version of Dragon can operate in small and dangerous spaces, supporting rescue work. It will search for survivors in collapsed buildings or move broken bricks if needed.