A robot that rolls like a wheel and zips through the air like a drone might sound wild, but the team at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) pulled it off. Say hello to ATOM, the Aerial Transforming Omnidirectional Mechanism—a light-as-a-feather hybrid that flips between ground and sky with just two moving parts.
What makes SUTD’s brainchild stand out is its no-fuss approach. Most hybrid robots wrestle with separate setups for rolling and flying, adding bulk and headaches. ATOM, though, rocks a single outer frame that pulls double duty as a wheel on land and a mono-wing in the air. “By reusing components for dual purposes, we’ve slashed weight and energy demands,” says lead researcher Dr. Shaohui Foong.
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Switching from ground to air is where ATOM really sets itself apart from drones. It rolls along using that round frame, scooting like a high-tech hamster ball. When it’s time to take off, it tilts a bit and spins into a mono-wing drone. “The transition is smooth because we’ve optimized the aerodynamics of the frame,” explains Foong. “It’s about balancing stability and agility.” Unlike older transformers like Caltech’s ATMO, which sometimes stumbled on rough patches, ATOM swaps modes seamlessly, even when the going gets tough.
Wheeled robots sip juice compared to energy-hungry drones that burn through batteries. By mixing both modes, ATOM can roll long distances to save power and then lift off to dodge obstacles like rivers or cliffs. “We wanted a robot that could go farther without needing a recharge,” says researcher Dr. Kuan Wei Soh. “ATOM’s hybrid nature gives it that edge.” That makes it a top pick for jobs like checking out nature or hunting for survivors, where range and flexibility matter.
ATOM’s tough-as-nails design adds some extra flair. Drones often crash and burn after a bump, but ATOM’s wheel frame doubles as a protective shell. “It can withstand impacts that would ground most drones,” Foong notes. That durability comes from the same setup that handles its dual moves, keeping it light yet sturdy. Whether it’s bouncing off a tree mid-flight or rumbling over bumpy ground, ATOM keeps rolling, perfect for wild spots like disaster zones.
If ATOM topples or lands weird, it can flip itself back up without a human stepping in. “We designed ATOM to get back on its feet—or rather, its wheel—autonomously,” says Soh. That grit could be a game-changer in places far from help, like remote woods or emergency supply runs.
Nature buffs might send it to track wildlife across sprawling landscapes, rolling through woods and flying over water. In cities, it could snake through streets and hop over traffic for deliveries.
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