South Korean Team Unveils Innovative Drone as a 'Flying Shopping Cart'
South Korean researchers have created a transport drone with flexible rotors for stability. The drone can serve as a "flying shopping cart" for transporting goods over difficult terrain. Innovative human-robot interaction technique allows for smooth flight control.

This innovative drone was created to function as a "flying shopping cart," capable of transporting goods over difficult terrains such as stairs.
The prototype has a cargo platform mounted on top of a multi-rotor drone that can be guided by a person using gentle force. The team demonstrated the drone's ability to move objects up and down stairs, load boxes while hovering in mid-air, and maintain balance with a centre of mass estimation algorithm.
Professor Lee Seung-jae of the mechanical system design engineering department emphasised the drone's unique human-robot interaction technique, which anticipates human intentions for smooth flight control. While the initial focus was on using the drone to transport goods over uneven terrain, the team envisions broader applications that take advantage of the drone's horizontal stability without pitching or rolling.

The prototype, named "Palletrone" by the team and derived from the words pallet and drone, has been tested to carry objects weighing up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs). Although commercial applications for cargo transportation at this weight may be limited, the technology's potential lies in the ability to deliver sensitive or fragile payloads precisely and efficiently.

Looking ahead, the team envisions drone technology being used for unmanned "flying taxis" to transport humans, as well as drones being refuelled in mid-air by changing batteries, eliminating the need for frequent returns to base for recharging. While multi-rotor drones have slower speeds and shorter ranges than fixed-wing drones, their superior control and manoeuvrability, including the ability to hover, make them ideal for a wide range of applications.
The study conducted by Seoul National University of Science and Technology was published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, a prestigious publication of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers based in New York.
South Korean researchers develop a transport drone with flexible rotors for stability.
The drone can function as a "flying shopping cart" for transporting goods over challenging terrains.
Innovative human-robot interaction technique enables smooth flight control.
Source: REUTERS