SEOUL: Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology have unveiled the ‘Palletrone,’ an innovative drone that acts like a “flying shopping cart.”
This high-tech drone features flexible rotors that allow it to self-correct and stay balanced while flying over tricky terrains, such as stairs.
The prototype has a cargo platform that can be guided easily by users, much like pushing a shopping cart.
In demonstrations, the team showed how the Palletrone can hover mid-air while transporting items, moving them smoothly up and down stairs, all thanks to a special algorithm that helps it maintain balance.
Utilizing a technique called physical human-robot interaction, this drone can anticipate the user’s movements for seamless operation.
Although its initial purpose is to help with transport over steps, the researchers believe the Palletrone can be used in many other ways, highlighting its potential for various applications that require stability in the air.