SEOUL— Researchers in South Korea have created a transport drone equipped with multiple flexible rotors that self-adjust to maintain a level flight. This drone can function as a "flying shopping cart," capable of transporting goods over uneven surfaces like stairs.

Developed by a team at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, the prototype features a cargo platform atop a multi-rotor drone, which a person can guide using gentle pressure. During a demonstration, the team showcased the platform, which resembles a push shopping cart, effectively moving items up and down stairs while hovering and maintaining stability through a center of mass estimation algorithm.

To navigate uneven terrain or stairs when wheeled carts are ineffective, the drone employs what the developers refer to as a physical human-robot interaction technique, allowing it to anticipate human movements for smoother operation, according to Dr. Lee Seung-jae, a professor of mechanical system design engineering.

However, Professor Lee's team is primarily focused on the broader applications of drones with dependable horizontal stability, rather than just developing a shopping cart for stairs. "The Palletrone can be more than a flying shopping cart," he explained, combining the terms "pallet" (the cargo platform) and "drone" to name the prototype.

The team has successfully tested the platform with the capacity to carry objects weighing up to 3 kg, but they acknowledge that the commercial uses for transporting such lightweight cargo are limited.

Despite this, the drone's ability to change direction during flight without tilting and to maintain a level position has potential applications for transporting delicate or sensitive items. Additionally, Professor Lee's team envisions future uses of this technology in uncrewed flying taxis for human transport and in drones capable of mid-air battery changes, eliminating the need for returning to base for recharging.

While multi-rotor drones have inherent limitations in speed and range compared to fixed-wing drones, they excel in control and maneuverability, including hovering capabilities. These drones have been utilized for delivering cargo, food, and medical supplies, but their commercial applications have been constrained primarily due to the impracticality of enlarging battery sizes enough to transport heavier loads over greater distances.

The findings from Seoul Tech's research were published in this year’s IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, a journal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers based in New York.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters