SPIDAR feels like something straight out of Junji Itō’s imagination. But this flying spider robot represents the new direction that robotic design is taking.
He is probably an illustrious unknown to the general public, but his name is essential for manga enthusiasts. Junji Itō is a Japanese mangaka considered to be the greatest master of horror manga. The unhealthy, morbid and macabre side of his works marks. The author also excels at imagining unlikely creators – like the flying spider robot To install SPIDAR.
The Spidar is already quite visually impressive with its metallic structure and long legs. All he needs are cobwebs and a bit of flesh to claim to be a worthy creature of the legendary mangaka’s imagination.
Flying spider robot, an idea that comes from… Japan
SPIDAR is the project of Japanese robotics researchers from theuniversity of tokyo. Note that the name is a nod to the English term spider which means spider. By the way, SPIDAR is an acronym for SPherIcally vectorable and Distributed rotors assisted Air-ground amphibious quadruped Robot. It is therefore an air-to-ground amphibious quadruped robot assisted by spherically distributed vector rotors.
Spiders capable of flight do exist in the animal kingdom. These can practice flight to avoid traversing difficult terrain on the ground. Some species do the hot air balloon flightwhile others use static electricity and wind. These species have undoubtedly inspired scientists from the University of Tokyo.
The structure of the SPIDAR
The Japanese spider robot has a small central body related to four long legs. These are equipped with 16 thrusters airships with two pairs for each member. Of the servomotors located at the joints ensure the mobility of the robot. Note that without the thruster-servo coupling, the SPIDAR is unable to stand or walk. This one weighs only one fifteen kilograms.
In addition, the thrusters are powerful enough to manage to levitate the SPIDAR. The reason why it is called a flying spider robot. It should also be noted that the prototype embeds a system of several batteries to ensure its operation.
Towards the design of the drones of the future?
Assembling and making the SPIDAR functional is a technological feat. Nevertheless, the capabilities of the flying spider robot remain limited. It can certainly fly, but its movement at a walk still lacks fluidity. In addition, its autonomy leaves something to be desired: only 9 minutes flying et 18 minutes in ground mode.
Be that as it may, researchers at the University of Tokyo are taking a novel approach to robotic design. This consists in providing a robot with two modes of locomotion. The approach could be the basis for the development of new generations of drones and of robots d’exploration. The goal is to have machines capable of adapting their mode of locomotion according to the conditions on the ground.