A research team at Zhejiang University has created a new hybrid vehicle with the ability to fly in the air and run on the ground.
A vehicle that moves both in the air and on the ground based on a unicycle. (Photo: Arxiv)
In a paper published in the arXiv database, researchers reported that the Roller-Quadrotor project is based on the design of a unicycle and a steering mechanism with rotor assistance, as reported by Interesting Engineering on March 22. Roller-Quadrotor combines the aerial flexibility of a four-blade rotor with the endurance of a ground vehicle. Four propulsion devices provide thrust for the machine.
The Roller-Quadrotor is a rotary-wing aircraft capable of flying and hovering above the ground, according to researcher Zhi Zheng and colleagues. The vehicle can also roll over various terrains, including narrow spaces half its diameter. This design addresses challenges faced by vertical take-off and landing aircraft, reduces energy consumption, and tackles obstacles that ground robots often encounter, according to the research team.
In their paper, Zheng’s team utilized a variety of controllers and models to enable the vehicle to fly, roll, and transition smoothly between the two operating modes. They also described the results of experiments where the Roller-Quadrotor prototype was tested in an environment equipped with sensors and cameras to capture motion.
In future research, Zheng and colleagues plan to improve the vehicle’s design, increase the model’s accuracy, and implement better control algorithms. This will help the vehicle transition more smoothly from flying to rolling, as well as enhance its navigation capabilities. They are also considering optimizing the structure and reducing weight to improve energy efficiency.
