like a bird… A hybrid robot capable of biped walking and flying

Leonardo is a bipedal robot that can fly, skateboard, or move on a rope, announced by a research team at the California Institute of Technology’s Center for Independent Systems Technology.

Leonardo is the first robot to achieve a high level of control and balance using articulated legs and propeller-based rockets. It means leg mounted drone (LEgs ONboARD drOne). The research team developed Leonardo, inspired by the movements of birds that walk on the ground or fly in the sky. The research team is realizing a hybrid movement that combines flying using a propeller and walking on two legs to reproduce a sense of balance with a robot like a bird that skillfully walks on a high-voltage line.

In this way, Leonardo’s appearance is equipped with two diagonally facing outward propellers on the left and right sides of the shoulder that speaks to humans in this way, and it can be used to maintain the system when flying or walking. The legs are articulated with three working points. The size is about 60 cm high.

Leonardo realizes a hybrid movement that assists not only walking or flying, but also propeller-assisted propulsion when walking on two legs, providing an amazing sense of balance in the process. The research team revealed that this robot with multimodal movement capability can move around difficult environments more efficiently than existing robots by appropriately switching possible means of movement.

The research team aims to improve overall Leonardo performance by developing stronger legs that can support more weight. In addition, after improving the bridge, it is said that the goal is to increase the propeller propulsion. The research team aims to make Leonardo fully autonomous. Specifically, it aims to allow Leonardo to choose the optimal combination of walking, flying and hybrid modes when moving from one location to another. Related information can be found here.