Drones get firm grip via origami-inspired robotic arm

Engineers from South Korea have come up with a new way for drones to grasp objects better while flying. Their innovation? A robotic drone arm that folds like origami.

The origami-inspired robotic arm attaches underneath a drone and is inconspicuous and flat once folded. Despite looking very thin in compact form, it is said to give a strong grip and is durable. As shown in a demo video for the product, the foldable arm extends long enough for a hovering drone to easier position a camera it is holding near tree branches. It can also pick up things lying in deep gaps in the ground. The arm is comprised of seven actuators and one wire. It is said to reach 27.5in long when unfolded.

The drone arm seems to be promising in deliveries and rescue and relief missions, where drones are now being increasingly used. If the innovation gets an accompanying claw that can handle bigger objects or an appendage that can bend in different angles instead of just stiff, the brighter future there is for next-gen aerial drones in the delivery and security industries.