Tumbleweed aerodynamics inspire hybrid robots for harsh terrains

Tumbleweeds inspire this rolling, resilient robot

A robot inspired by desert tumbleweeds may be the first of a new generation of energy-efficient explorers rolling into future disaster zones. While the Hybrid Energy-efficient Rover Mechanism for Exploration Systems (HERMES) described in the journal Nature Communications recalls the desert ramblers, its creator initially envisioned the idea while watching humans enjoy wind simply for the thrill of it. “The inspiration struck on a windy winter af…

Tumbleweed aerodynamics inspire hybrid robots for harsh terrains

A new study published in Nature Communications details a hybrid robot that combines the wind-driven mobility of tumbleweeds with active quadcopter control, offering a new paradigm for energy-efficient terrestrial exploration.