Dr. Jake Abbott and Dr. Mark Minor were featured on IEEE Spectrum earlier this month for one of their joint research ventures. IEEE Specturum featured the team’s “Avian Inspired Graspers” – a device inspired by the feet and legs of songbirds that enable flying robotic aircraft to perch on many surfaces – on their “Video Friday” post.
The Avian Inspired Graspers were presented along with two other research projects. One video was from Purdue University, and the other was from DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office.
The video below, as highlighted by IEEE, demonstrates the passive system of the graspers. They use the weight of the robot to actuate the talons. When the robot lands on something, the talons grip, and lock into place. When the robot takes off, the graspers automatically let go.