Each quadcopter module is ready for the next step. Each module weighs just 27 grams adding another 7 grams for the lightweight carbon fiber cage. Then the magic begins. Two modules fly straight at each other and connect in midair. Applications for aerial structures have never been explored quite like this before. These drones can save lives in dangerous situations.
ModQuad in a Cage
ModQuad by the University of Pennsylvania's 2018 Grasp Lab. The quadcopter is typically battery operated and has 3 speeds. There are no longer arms or latches. Instead, magnets and corners. Magnets is located in the eight corners of each quadcopter. These quadcopters are designed to assemble structurally by magnetically attaching to each other. When aligned face-to-face, the quadcopters hold firmly with a kilogram of force.
The Promised Future of Emergency Rescue
ModQuad's design isn't just about showing off engineering prowess. The team envisions a future where these drones can be rapidly deployed to create emergency structures and save lives. In a burning building, small drones can navigate cluttered spaces quickly. Then they assemble into bridges, platforms, or even external staircases, providing a crucial escape route. Ground-based construction is slow, as seen in the aftermath of any disaster. These quadcopters promise to create structures where none existed before — a minute ago, there was nothing, and suddenly, there's a lifeline.
Mini Quadcopters Assemble
Each quadcopter's magnetic connectivity allows them to form a rigid body. Every quadcopter acts as an individual module and then reads its own sensors. As a result, the assembly becomes a cohesive unit that can be guided as one rigid body. This design allows for unprecedented flexibility. Because each module can independently move, the drones can create and adapt to various structures.
Beyond the Walls
Imagine a burning building, smoke billowing out of every window. Firefighters, medical teams, and rescue workers would be hard-pressed to find a fast, efficient system to supply aid and provide escape routes. Instead, a swarm of these drones launches into action. Some might think that they could be sent to rescue a child or elderly person trapped in a burning building. Firefighters can work to put the fire out. Simultaneously, the drones could quickly go from being individual modules to being platforms or bridges. The drones can serve as bridges over fire to provide a safe path for trapped civilians to escape a burning building. These can also supply a pocket of emergency oxygen tanks or a fire extinguisher supply if a drone is outfitted to respond to a specific problem.
The Magic and the Catch
Magically, these drones can move as one rigid body. There's only one catch. The entire assembly leaves a trail of destruction. If each drone attaches to another, they're stuck in place. With magnets, they can't detach, as they have no way to manage this. It would take 3 or 4 firemen to delicately remove each quadcopter.
Building Bridges in mid-air
With all the hooplah about drones taking over the airspace, ModQuad puts a literal spin on the concept. As aircraft drones are being tested for use in the military, the public may not be prepared for those drones to perform any other task. There is a fear that the drones could potentially crash into one another. The ModQuad design avoids this problem by working magnetically and perfectly in a group. They cannot crash, as the magnetic force holds the assembly as one rigid body.
Aerial Bricks
For the latest quadcopter technology, take a look at the upcoming drone models from PerformLight. They manufacture aerial drones of up to seven pounds. PerformerLight company has manufactured a model that weighs only 27 grams. The drone is magnet-free and features a more powerful motor. It is available in two sizes, 20 grams and 16 grams. This 20-gram version combines carbon-fiber, which weighs 7 grams. With a navigation system that can be powered through the ground, these drones are ideal for aerial photography or action videography. The quadrotor, developed by the Grasp Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, is designed to work in groups. The design was created to fit into drone formations. The drones will be used to manufacture structures like towers, bridges, and buildings. The drones will be able to carry bricks through mid-air and create buildings.
Questions readers ask
How do the quadcopters connect in midair?
Each quadcopter has magnets in its eight corners. When two quadcopters fly towards each other and align face-to-face, the magnets create a strong connection, holding them together with a force of up to a kilogram. This magnetic connection allows the quadcopters to form a rigid structure in midair, as seen in the video.
What kinds of emergency structures can these quadcopters create?
These quadcopters are designed to create various emergency structures such as bridges, platforms, or staircases. They can navigate through cluttered spaces quickly and assemble into structures that provide crucial escape routes in dangerous situations, like burning buildings.
How do the quadcopters move as a single unit after assembly?
Once the quadcopters are connected, they act as a single rigid body. Each module reads its own sensors, and the assembly can be guided as one unit. This design allows for flexibility, as individual modules can still independently move to create and adapt to various structures.
What are the limitations of the current design?
The current design has a significant limitation: once the quadcopters attach to each other, they are stuck in place. The magnets used for connection do not allow for easy detachment, which means that manual intervention, such as firefighters, would be required to separate the drones.
Can these quadcopters be used in other scenarios besides emergency rescue?
While the primary focus of the ModQuad design is on emergency rescue, the technology has potential applications in other areas. For instance, they could be used in construction or exploration of hazardous environments where quick assembly of structures is beneficial.
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