Aerial robot with ‘elephant trunk’ developed for complex mid-air manipulation tasks

Professor Peng Lu and his team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), have achieved a milestone in aerial manipulation technology. Their innovative Aerial Elephant Trunk (AET), a novel aerial continuum manipulator, has demonstrated unparalleled capability in performing complex aerial manipulation tasks, marking a significant leap forward for the development of the low-altitude economy.

Professor Lu and his lab members have long focused on advancing aerial continuum manipulators to enhance the performance of aerial manipulation. Conventional aerial manipulators face inherent limitations in balancing the payload capacity of UAVs with the dexterity of robotic arms.

The research team’s AET, inspired by the flexibility of an elephant trunk, effectively addresses these challenges. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.

“By designing a highly compact aerial continuum arm, we can perform various aerial manipulation tasks in complex environments. AET is extremely dexterous compared to existing aerial manipulators, as its body can change into any shape. It can grasp objects of various sizes and shapes using its body, a capability that is almost impossible for conventional aerial manipulators, which can only grasp objects using grippers,” said Professor Lu.

AET excels in cluttered and constrained environments, navigating through pipelines of various shapes and overcoming obstacles where traditional aerial manipulators struggle. With its capability to grasp a wide range of objects and operate in diverse environments, AET significantly expands the application for aerial manipulation.

It is capable of carrying out grasping, transporting, and maintenance tasks in challenging aerial environments, such as clearing debris at disaster sites, removing debris from high-voltage power lines, and maintaining cross-sea bridges. The advancements in the design and control of AET will establish a solid foundation for dexterous aerial manipulation, ushering in new industries and modes for the development of the low-altitude economy.