Crash-Proof Hybrid Drone ATOM Transforms Flight and Ground Mobility
- tech360.tv
- Jul 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design have unveiled a hybrid drone capable of seamlessly switching between flying and rolling on the ground, offering new possibilities for navigating complex environments.
Named the Aerial and Terrestrial mode Operating Mono-wing, or ATOM, the drone uses only two actuators to transition between air and land modes. It features a mono-wing design inspired by the Samara seed, known for its spinning descent and aerodynamic efficiency.
ATOM can perform vertical takeoff and landing, fly in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and roll across surfaces using its lightweight, carbon-fibre-reinforced frame. The same motors that power its flight also drive its ground movement, reducing energy use and mechanical complexity.
The drone’s design allows it to recover from crashes and operate in unpredictable environments. Its frame acts as both a protective cage during flight and a rolling structure on land, making it collision-tolerant and durable.
During testing, ATOM successfully navigated inclined surfaces up to 15 degrees and demonstrated near-perfect transitions between flight and ground modes. In ground mode, it can operate for nearly 45 minutes on a single battery charge, while flight mode offers about 5 minutes of airtime.
ATOM’s twin-motor setup enables differential thrust for precise ground control, allowing tight turns on smooth surfaces. However, rough terrain and sharp turns at high speed remain challenges that researchers aim to address in future versions.
Potential applications include disaster response, environmental monitoring, and military reconnaissance, where the ability to switch modes and conserve energy is critical.
Researchers are also exploring a crawling mode for terrestrial movement and enhancements such as AI-driven autonomy and improved terrain handling.
ATOM is a hybrid drone that flies and rolls using only two actuators
Inspired by the Samara seed, it offers energy-efficient flight and ground mobility
The drone is collision-tolerant and can recover from crashes
Source: The Debrief
