Weight decomposition of atomic prototypes. The battery and frame contribute roughly a third and a quarter of the overall weight, respectively. Other (other) includes the weight contribution of the screws, nuts, and PCB that connect the motor to the ESC. Credit: The International Journal of Robotics Research (2025). doi:10.1177/02783649251344968
The team of engineers at Singapore University of Technology and Design has created truly unique robots. It can roll like a drum and take off and fly like a rotating wheel. In their paper published in the International Journal of Robotics Research, the group explains the goals in developing robots and how they can be developed, and how they work.
The team’s goal was to create a small, lightweight robot with two modes of transport: Earth’s movement and rotating aviation flight. They achieved both of these goals by designing frames that can be used for both types of movement, but in a variety of ways.
A robot is a wireframe that is roughly the size of a basketball, and is primarily in the shape of a snare drum. Inside, there are blade-shaped wings that resemble a helicopter maple seed that spins when it falls to the ground. Provides a lift when the robot spins. The team placed crossing wires on the sides to prevent the robot from getting stuck if it was facing the side.
It also has two very small rotors that act as two actuators and thrusters, rolling the robot along the ground or into the air during flight, with two very small circuit boards and a small battery. The overall weight is only 124g.
Another achievement is to use very little energy, yet very little energy, to provide both air and ground capabilities. Most multimode robots can increase energy efficiency with one of the modes. The researchers point out that they operate the monowing (Atom) in the aerial and terrestrial modes of the robot, and use two actuators to achieve all the feats.
The robot can use its frame as a wheel and rotate because it has two rotors, allowing it to roll straight on various surfaces. You can also make yourself your right. To switch to flight mode, it’s well ahead of the robot to allow the entire frame to spin. Once in the air, it becomes a horizontal spinning wheel with high degree of control.
Written for you by author Bob Yirka, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan. This article is the result of the work of a careful human being. We will rely on readers like you to keep independent scientific journalism alive. If this report is important, consider giving (especially every month). You will get an ad-free account as a thank you.
Details: Hitesh Bhardwaj et al, Atom: Design and Development of a New Two-Actuator Hybrid Land Air Robot, The International Journal of Robotics Research (2025). doi:10.1177/02783649251344968
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Quote: The two-actuator robot combines efficient ground rolling and spinning flights in one design (June 17, 2025) obtained from https://news/2025-06-actuator-robot-combines-efficient-ground.html from June 25, 2025.
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