Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 352, Issue 6288, Pages 978-982Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf1092
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Funding
- National Science Foundation [CMMI-1251729]
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Research
- Swiss Study Foundation
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For aerial robots, maintaining a high vantage point for an extended time is crucial in many applications. However, available on-board power and mechanical fatigue constrain their flight time, especially for smaller, battery-powered aircraft. Perching on elevated structures is a biologically inspired approach to overcome these limitations. Previous perching robots have required specific material properties for the landing sites, such as surface asperities for spines, or ferromagnetism. We describe a switchable electroadhesive that enables controlled perching and detachment on nearly any material while requiring approximately three orders of magnitude less power than required to sustain flight. These electroadhesives are designed, characterized, and used to demonstrate a flying robotic insect able to robustly perch on a wide range of materials, including glass, wood, and a natural leaf.
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