What about a smart flying squirrel drone that uses its wings to create extra air resistance? Researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) have made exactly that—a cool drone inspired by the flying squirrel, built to move better and be more agile.
Unlike standard quadcopters, which struggle to halt sideways movement, the squirrel drone uses its wings to add more air resistance. This boosts its tracking by 13.1% (checked with root mean square error) compared to regular wingless drones. The Thrust-Wing Coordination Control (TWCC) system syncs the propellers and foldable wings, enabling quick upward thrusts and agile flight in small spaces.
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The wings are guided by reinforcement learning based on human-shown data, handling tricky aerodynamics that are hard to figure out with math. This helps the drone stay steady and react well in changing environments. Its data-driven style, paired with adaptive control, makes it super responsive in real-world situations.
Weighing 548 grams, with the folding silicone wings adding just 24 grams, the drone is small and easy to carry, fitting lots of uses. It’s built for jobs needing speed and accuracy, like inspections, gathering data, or rescue missions in tough or risky places. Its knack for zipping through narrow spaces and adapting to unexpected settings makes it really versatile.
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