Researchers unveil bird-inspired drone that jumps into flight

Researchers have developed a new bird-inspired drone named Raven, which can walk, hop, and jump into flight. This design allows for more stable take-offs compared to traditional drones, which typically rely solely on propellers. Raven features legs that mimic a bird's anatomy, enabling it to achieve a take-off speed of about 2.4 meters per second. This jumping strategy enhances energy efficiency and allows the drone to clear ground obstacles before flying. The study, published in Nature, suggests that Raven's design could lead to more versatile robots capable of various movements. This advancement may improve drone performance in complex terrains.