Output details
15 - General Engineering
University of Southampton
Design optimisation of a reconfigurable perching element for vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles
Significance of output:
Recent research into small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has focused on their capability to hover and perch on objects present in the urban environment (UAVForge 2012). Telegraph poles, wires and lamp posts are of special interest due to their elevated position and excellent fields of view. The ability to see and not be seen is also a highly desirable quality. This research paper investigates the state-of-the-art in perching systems and proposes a novel type of impactive multi-functional gripper design, based on an eagle's claw, capable of sustained long endurance perch due to its use of non-backdrivable gearing.
