The researchers used the results of their previous research to develop the claws, in which they used sensors to study the movements of sparrow parrots, and found that, whatever surface they landed on, the parrots always performed the same manoeuvre before landing. As drones are much larger than parrots, the researchers finally chose the peregrine falcon’s claws, which they 3D-printed and used motors and dampers to reproduce the movement of the muscles and tendons.
28
Nov
Nov
Pea Ridge, Arkansas, will be home to the first commercial drone home delivery service in the United States, launched by Zipline. Although customers will be able to choose from thousands of products, they will be limited mainly to health and wellness products such as over-the-counter allergy medicines, bandages and ibuprofen tablets. The service will only be available within a 50-mile radius.
26
Nov
Nov
In Croatia, remotely piloted aircraft are being used to replant vegetation destroyed by summer forest fires. Acorns are being turned into oak trees and chillies are used to treat wild boars.
24
Nov
Nov
According to Cleo Robotics, the maker of the Dronut X1, it is “the world’s first twin-rotor, ducted drone”, which means that unlike conventional drones, its propellers are not located outside the fuselage but inside the drone.
02
Oct
Oct
It’s not just any cargo that Wingcopter’s drone is flying to its target: blood products to save lives. Twenty-six kilometres is the distance between Greifswald and Wolgast, where Wingcopter drones helped with the delivery in the northeastern German state of Mecklenburg.
16
Sep
Sep
Demand for drones is growing year on year, as more and more sectors see them as a fantasy, from the military to e-commerce and police. At the same time, it turns out that emergency services could also benefit greatly from flying vehicles.