The wonky discipline known as “distributed computation algorithms” can be a bit … dry.
So instead of teaching the subject with problem sets and lengthy exams, the faculty of the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control at ETH Zurich decided to educate students by having them develop a robotics platform that embodies the principles. The result, called the Distributed Flight Array (DFA), is a proto-Transformer that allows multiple autonomous robots to connect with each other and take flight while acting as an awesome platform for experimentation.
The DFA bots are small, but there is more than meets the eye packed into their 3-D printed chassis. The system is designed around a central propeller which provides thrust for the structure. Surrounding it are three omni-directional wheels that let the bots get into position with each other on the ground while magnets embedded in the frame provide a connection. A gyroscope provides positional information to an on-board microprocessor while an infrared sensor feeds information about altitude to the system. Pins allow the collected bots to communicate this real-time data between each other and adjust their individual thrusts to keep the combined unit stable. Despite the sensitive nature of the electronics, when a flight is over, the bots disengage midair and fall safely to the ground where the process can begin anew.
Individual units can only propel themselves spastically around a room, but when joined the DFA modules can create traditional quadcopters, more advanced decacopters, and their most impressive applications are atypical and asymmetrical arrays that defy traditional aeronautic aesthetics. These odd combos often produce interesting flight patterns — in one configuration where the bots are aligned linearly, the construct appears to flap as the opposite ends try to reach equilibrium.
The DFA was originally envisioned as an art installation and research platform by Professor Raffaello D’Andrea at ETH Zurich’s Institute for Dynamic Systems and Controls. Successive groups of students under the tutelage of Dr. Raymond Oung helped fulfill the vision, but also developed the project to the point where it was a versatile teaching tool. “The DFA is, and will always be, a pedagogical tool, both for high-end research and for the main-stream public,” says Oung. Academics will be able to use the distributed flight array as a low cost tool to test distributed algorithms — the kind of tools that might inform research on self driving cars or interoperability of machines on a factory floor. The relatively simple design of the DFA will also allow motivated science fair participants to crush their competition, like the Decepticon Devastator
The Latest Bing News on:
Autonomous Robots
- Korean Scientists Develop New Navigation System For Autonomous Ships Robotics & Automation Newson April 27, 2024 at 2:41 am
Existing ship control systems using Model Predictive Control for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) do not consider the various forces acting o ...
- Astribot S1 AI Humanoid robot unveiled demonstrating its agility, dexterity and accuracyon April 27, 2024 at 12:55 am
This week the Astribot S1 humanoid robot was unveiled in Shenzhen, China, marking another significant leap forward in autonomous robotics ...
- Venture funding roundup: Big bucks for defense tech, robotics and beverageson April 26, 2024 at 6:02 am
Raising venture dollars is tough these days. Check out a dozen Austin startups that have found a path to fresh investments.
- DARPA puts sinister green eyes on its robot tankon April 26, 2024 at 3:22 am
Messing with your mind DARPA's latest step into the world of autonomous vehicles a real eye-opener—literally. They've unleashed their new robotic beasts as part of the Robotic Autonomy in Complex ...
- Europe taps deep learning to make industrial robots safer colleagueson April 26, 2024 at 1:07 am
European researchers have launched the RoboSAPIENS project to make adaptive industrial robots more efficient and safer to work with humans.
- Battle of the Bots: Hasbro's Megatron Transformers Toy Faces Off Against Optimus Prime in Autonomous Showdownon April 25, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Hasbro and Robosen are at it again with the famed autonomous Transformers toy robot, now featuring Megatron, the leader of the villainous Cybertron military faction known as Decepticons. For avid fans ...
- DARPA's New 12-Ton Robot Tank Has Glowing Green Eyes for Some Reasonon April 24, 2024 at 4:59 pm
The RACER Heavy Platform (RHP) vehicles are enormous, weighing in at 12 tons and measuring 20 feet long. The vehicles are programmed using the Textron M5 base system, already used in many driverless ...
- Elon Musk Needs Robots, and He Needs Them Nowon April 24, 2024 at 12:10 pm
“Think of it as a combination of Airbnb and Uber,” said Musk on Tesla’s earnings call Tuesday. “There will be some number of cars that Tesla owns itself and operates in the fleet, and then there’ll be ...
- ETH Zurich’s wheeled-legged robot masters urban terrain autonomouslyon April 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm
E TH Zurich researchers have developed a locomotor control that can enable wheeled-legged robots to autonomously navigate various urban environments. The robot was equipped with sophisticated ...
- Horizon Robotics Product Launch Event Unveils Next Generation Autonomous Driving Solutionon April 24, 2024 at 9:03 am
Horizon SuperDrive™ solution achieves smooth and human-like autonomous driving in urban, highway and parking scenarios BEIJING, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Robotics, a leading provider of ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Autonomous Robots
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Autonomous Robots” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Self-assembling robots
- 20 Dead-End Careers That Will Disappear in the Next Decadeon April 26, 2024 at 7:13 am
The future of work is hurtling towards us at breakneck speed, fueled by a relentless tide of automation and artificial i ...
- 40 Films to See This Summeron April 25, 2024 at 8:52 am
The summer season is upon us and, per each year, we’ve dug beyond studio offerings to present an in-depth look at what should be on your radar. From festival winners of the past year to selections ...
- Weird Engines? Silicone Leather? 5 Tech Marvels at SAE World Congresson April 25, 2024 at 8:32 am
Camera-and-AI-driven instant quality control, an integrated EV charger/converter, silicone vegan leather, metal-free switches, and a quirky oddball engine.
- Will Robots Replace Warehouse Workers?on April 25, 2024 at 5:27 am
Robots are transforming the warehouse & manufacturing industry. From efficient order fulfilment to job security, learn what roles are safe amidst automation.
- This robot vacuum with the strongest suction power should not be as cheap as it ison April 24, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Accelerate your tech game Paid Content How the New Space Race Will Drive Innovation How the metaverse will change the future of work and society Managing the ...
- The 3 best self-cleaning litter boxes of 2024, tested and reviewedon April 23, 2024 at 3:35 pm
The best self-cleaning litter boxes are convenient and cat-friendly. Our highest-rated picks include smart and dust-free automatic litter boxes.
- The 6 best robot lawn mowers in 2024 are here to make your Roomba jealouson April 18, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Hate mowing your lawn? Well now you can let a robot do it for you. Check out these latest robotic lawn mowers.
- We Did the Dirty Work: These Are the Best Automatic Litter Boxes We Testedon April 18, 2024 at 7:45 am
Our cats put Whisker's Litter-Robot 4, PetSnowy's Snow+, Casa Leo's Loo Too, and more to the test. See what we ranked at the best overall and best budget pick.
- Perfect Storm: AI, Robots, Chip Shortages. Can Automakers Weather It?on April 16, 2024 at 5:10 pm
The once-unstoppable auto industry, a 20th-century titan synonymous with manufacturing disruption and progress, now finds itself caught in a perfect storm.
- Tesla to Lay Off 10 Percent of Its Workerson April 15, 2024 at 7:22 am
Ahead of unveiling a brand new robotaxi vehicle prototype and amid slumping car sales, the world's most famous EV maker is shedding thousands of jobs globally.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Self-assembling robots
[google_news title=”” keyword=”self-assembling robots” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]