Flying and rolling hybrid drone launches from humanoid robot
The X1 robot system combines a humanoid G1 robot with a hybrid drone. Together, they are intended to be able to reach hard-to-access regions.
The M4 hybrid drone launches its missions from the back of a G1 humanoid robot.
(Image: CAST/Screenshot)
Scientists from the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST) at Caltech in California and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi have developed the X1 multi-robot system, in which a robot and a hybrid drone work together in a combined system to carry out missions. The system consists of a humanoid robot that can transport a flying and rolling hybrid drone to its deployment location. The drone then launches from the back of the humanoid robot.
“Currently, robots can fly, drive, and walk. This is great in certain scenarios,” says Aaron Ames, Director and Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Control and Dynamical Systems, and Aerospace Engineering at Caltech. “But how can we combine these different modes of locomotion into a single package so that we can leverage the benefits of all while minimizing the drawbacks of each system?”
Researchers at CAST have found a simple answer to this. They use a G1 humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics to transport an M4 hybrid drone to its deployment location, even through difficult terrain. This is because the G1 robot can climb stairs and open doors in buildings, for example.
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The M4 is transported on the back of the G1. The humanoid robot also serves as a launch platform for the M4 in drone mode. To achieve this, the G1 bends forward to create a level launch platform. The drone then lifts off vertically.
Fly or drive?
In some cases, however, it may be more advantageous to move by rolling. The M4 has various types of sensors, such as lidar, cameras, and rangefinders, to recognize its surroundings. From the combination of sensor data, the drone will be able to autonomously determine in the future which mode of locomotion is best suited for the respective terrain to get from one point to another. Then, if necessary, the M4 transforms from a flying to a rolling drone and vice versa.
In a demonstration, the scientists show in a video that their concept fundamentally works. However, the autonomous functions are not yet fully implemented.
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The X1 robot system could be used, for example, in emergencies to transport the M4 from the humanoid G1 on foot to hard-to-reach regions. There, the M4 can then select the appropriate mode of locomotion depending on the terrain, for example, to find people in distress in a rescue mission.
(olb)
