Technology
Engineers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have developed a quadcopter drone called "FlexiQuad" featuring a flexible ring frame designed to absorb impacts upon collision. The flexible frame bends to absorb part of the impact energy, enabling the drone to remain airborne without interruption. The motors, batteries, and electronics are arranged in a circular ring without a central structure, allowing the frame to bend sideways upon impact while maintaining its rigidity and vertical alignment. The design draws inspiration from birds and insects. The drone was tested at speeds up to 25 km/h, successfully colliding with obstacles and continuing to fly. It can carry a lightweight first aid kit as well as a payload heavier than its own weight. Developers suggest using the drone for searching missing persons in partially collapsed buildings, inspecting ships, and collecting data in forests. Its foldable frame allows easy transport inside a suitcase. Collisions typically cause frame vibrations, blurring camera images and reducing navigation accuracy, so engineers are training an integrated neural network to help the drone quickly regain balance after impact.
