IN A NUTSHELL
  • 🤖 Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed ATOM, a robot that combines flight and ground movement.
  • ✨ ATOM uses a mono-wing design with only two actuators, achieving unprecedented energy efficiency and versatility.
  • 🌍 The robot’s innovative design allows for autonomous recovery and enhanced maneuverability across varied surfaces.
  • 🔍 Potential applications include search and rescue operations, environmental surveillance, and urban observation.

The realm of robotics is experiencing a transformative evolution with breakthroughs that challenge the boundaries of modern engineering. One of the most remarkable innovations comes from the Singapore University of Technology and Design: the ATOM robot. This cutting-edge device boasts unparalleled energy efficiency and dual mobility. Through a groundbreaking design utilizing just two actuators, ATOM seamlessly combines flight and ground movement. This technological marvel signifies a major leap forward in creating robots that adapt to diverse environments while minimizing energy consumption. Let’s delve into how ATOM is setting new standards in the field of dual-mobility robots.

A Revolutionary Design

ATOM’s standout feature is its innovative mono-wing design. Unlike other hybrid robots that require additional motors and gear systems to switch modes, ATOM operates with only two counter-rotating actuators. This mechanical simplicity allows the robot to execute takeoffs, directional flights, roll movements, and even ground-turning maneuvers without any extra equipment. The ability to perform rotations in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions is a rare feature among mono-wing designs. As it moves on the ground, ATOM uses its chassis for navigation, and if it encounters resistance, it employs a reverse thrust mechanism for smoother control.

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Challenges in Robotic Design

The journey to creating a robot as efficient as ATOM was fraught with challenges. Previous attempts, such as the design by Suhadi et al. in 2023, were innovative yet faced issues like ground friction, limiting their use to smooth surfaces. Additionally, these robots could only fly in one direction, reducing their maneuverability. Other models by Jia and Zheng required extra actuators to change modes, which increased the robot’s weight and energy consumption. A common problem with many prototypes was their inability to self-correct if they landed upside down. ATOM overcomes these hurdles through its unique design, providing autonomous recovery and enhanced maneuverability across various surfaces.

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Design Challenges Encountered
Suhadi et al. (2023) Ground friction, limited flight direction
Jia and Zheng (2023) Increased weight and energy consumption
ATOM Maneuverability and autonomous recovery

Potential Applications of ATOM

The efficiency and versatility of ATOM make it ideal for real-world applications. In search and rescue operations, the robot could be deployed to fly over collapsed structures before rolling through debris to locate survivors during natural disasters. In environmental surveillance, ATOM could fly between distant points and move discreetly through ecosystems to collect sensitive data. Urban observation could also benefit from its ability to combine aerial surveillance with low-energy ground patrolling. In essence, ATOM embodies the idea that innovation is not always in complexity, but sometimes in simplicity and effectiveness.

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The Future of ATOM and Robotics

With its minimalist design and adaptability to various environments, ATOM could be pivotal to the future of robotics. As trends move towards lighter and smarter systems, ATOM shows that technology can advance by reducing complexity while increasing efficiency. Its potential applications span various fields, from public safety to scientific observation. However, questions remain about how this technology will evolve: how could ATOM be further enhanced to address future challenges in robotics?

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Eirwen Williams is a New York-based journalist at kore.am, covering science, innovation, Asian American communities, and the cultural impacts of climate and tech. A graduate of NYU’s Journalism Institute, he explores how people and cities adapt to a changing world. His stories spotlight the intersection of identity, activism, and emerging technologies. Contact: [email protected]

10 Comments
  1. Peterprophecy on

    This sounds like a game-changer for search & rescue operations. Thank you for sharing this breakthrough!

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