New robot falls like a maple seed then sails like a boat once it hits water
New robot falls like a maple seed then sails like a boat once it hits water
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have developed ALBATROSS, a nature-inspired robotic platform that falls like a maple seed during its autorotating descent and then sails autonomously on water using wind energy. The system uses rigid wingsails for both slowing its fall and powering its movement, enabling it to reach remote waters quickly and monitor environmental conditions for extended periods.
ALBATROSS represents a novel approach to remote environmental monitoring by combining aerial deployment with autonomous sailing. Its design leverages natural inspiration, such as maple seed autorotation, to simplify the transition from air to water, offering a low-cost and scalable solution for long-duration sensing in hard-to-reach areas.
Source: Tech Xplore — Robotics · Read original article ↗
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What the source reports
Publisher-reported claims, with original evidence. These results have not been independently verified by RoboSignal.
Reported numbers
sailing speed
0.6
View original evidence
ailed off on its own. The researchers estimate that a similar platform without autorotation would experience about 18.5 times more impact energy when it hits the water. Once on the surface, ALBATROSS navigates autonomously between set waypoints. In reservoir trials in Singapore, a larger test version reached a peak sailing speed of just under 1 km/h (0.6 miles per hour) and operated for around three hours while recor
Open source S9operating duration
≈3 hours
View original evidence
ailed off on its own. The researchers estimate that a similar platform without autorotation would experience about 18.5 times more impact energy when it hits the water. Once on the surface, ALBATROSS navigates autonomously between set waypoints. In reservoir trials in Singapore, a larger test version reached a peak sailing speed of just under 1 km/h (0.6 miles per hour) and operated for around three hours while recor
Open source S9impact energy ratio
≈18.5
View original evidence
ailed off on its own. The researchers estimate that a similar platform without autorotation would experience about 18.5 times more impact energy when it hits the water. Once on the surface, ALBATROSS navigates autonomously between set waypoints. In reservoir trials in Singapore, a larger test version reached a peak sailing speed of just under 1 km/h (0.6 miles per hour) and operated for around three hours while recor
Open source S9altitude of deployment
150
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le lower-cost and more scalable platforms for sensing in places that are difficult to reach." Conceptual deployment scenario of bio-inspired ALBATROSS. Credit: SUTD Low-impact landings and autonomous sailing In field trials, the team released ALBATROSS from an altitude of 150 meters (490 feet). It descended in stable autorotation and landed on the water with low impact. It then righted itself without assistance and s
Open source S8number of actuators
3
View original evidence
helps it steer, particularly when wind conditions are weak. Using the same components in both phases keeps the design relatively simple and lets ALBATROSS transition directly from an airborne vehicle into a sailing robot. The system uses just three actuators and three navigation sensors, compared with six to eight actuators and broader sensor suites used by other hybrid aerial-marine platforms. "We designed ALBATROSS
Open source S6number of navigation sensors
3
View original evidence
helps it steer, particularly when wind conditions are weak. Using the same components in both phases keeps the design relatively simple and lets ALBATROSS transition directly from an airborne vehicle into a sailing robot. The system uses just three actuators and three navigation sensors, compared with six to eight actuators and broader sensor suites used by other hybrid aerial-marine platforms. "We designed ALBATROSS
Open source S6peak sailing speed
<1
View original evidence
ailed off on its own. The researchers estimate that a similar platform without autorotation would experience about 18.5 times more impact energy when it hits the water. Once on the surface, ALBATROSS navigates autonomously between set waypoints. In reservoir trials in Singapore, a larger test version reached a peak sailing speed of just under 1 km/h (0.6 miles per hour) and operated for around three hours while recor
Open source S9
- paper: not_reported
- code: not_reported
- weights: not_reported
- dataset: not_reported
Source excerpts and review record
Automatically extracted; no manual editorial approval recorded.
ailed off on its own. The researchers estimate that a similar platform without autorotation would experience about 18.5 times more impact energy when it hits the water. Once on the surface, ALBATROSS navigates autonomously between set waypoints. In reservoir trials in Singapore, a larger test version reached a peak sailing speed of just under 1 km/h (0.6 miles per hour) and operated for around three hours while recor
Open source S9
ding environmental measurements including humidity, heat levels and wind direction. The ability to reach remote waters quickly could eventually make the platform useful for environmental monitoring, climate change research, search and rescue, and maritime security. Once deployed, wind-powered sailing could allow sensing platforms to remain in the area while using relatively little energy. Simulation of autorotation i
Open source S10
le lower-cost and more scalable platforms for sensing in places that are difficult to reach." Conceptual deployment scenario of bio-inspired ALBATROSS. Credit: SUTD Low-impact landings and autonomous sailing In field trials, the team released ALBATROSS from an altitude of 150 meters (490 feet). It descended in stable autorotation and landed on the water with low impact. It then righted itself without assistance and s
Open source S8
helps it steer, particularly when wind conditions are weak. Using the same components in both phases keeps the design relatively simple and lets ALBATROSS transition directly from an airborne vehicle into a sailing robot. The system uses just three actuators and three navigation sensors, compared with six to eight actuators and broader sensor suites used by other hybrid aerial-marine platforms. "We designed ALBATROSS
Open source S6
Source：Tech Xplore — Robotics · techxplore.com