With the incredible ability to perch on various surfaces and types of branches, “SNAG” (stereotyped nature-inspired aerial grasper) is not exactly a beginner’s robotics project so much as something of a breakthrough. SNAG, together with a quadcopter drone, is a robot that can fly, catch and carry objects, and perch on surfaces in order to conserve energy.
Stanford engineers have created a robot with bird-like legs and talons. Using sensors, 3D printed hardware, and motors, the robot (named SNAG) can perch itself on a variety of surfaces – just as nature intended for birds.
One of the engineers, William Roderick, had the opportunity to test SNAG in the remote forests of Oregon – the perfect place to challenge the robot and observe its perching and flying behavior. It wasn’t easy, however, to replicate the perching action of birds. In order to do so, the engineers observed parrotlets fly back and forth between perches with five high-speed cameras. Then, in order to re-create the ligaments, tendons, and bones of birds, they used 3D printed “bones”, motors, springs, and fishing cords. These materials used together allow SNAG to use each leg separately to fly to a branch, grasp it, and balance itself atop of it.
SNAG is definitely a breakthrough for scientists and engineers. The technology used here could serve well in things such as search and rescue missions, or collecting data subtly in natural areas like forests without drawing attention to itself. The perching mechanism helps the robot conserve energy, as opposed to the actions of hovering or actively flying in different directions.
Does It Move Like A Real Bird?
It doesn’t look like one (yet), but the 3D printed legs and talons were modeled on the peregrine falcon. This likeness allows SNAG to, well, snag onto branches and other surfaces in a perch-like fashion. It can also grab and carry items in mid-flight, just like birds of prey do in the wild as the ENR of California shows us. So while it doesn’t look realistic, it does the same actions any bird would make.
Can It Make Sounds?
According to a science trivia round-up on Gala Bingo, some parrots such as your pet African Grey may know up to 200 words, but SNAG doesn’t make any sounds, let alone words, as of yet. SNAG’s current specialty is grabbing and wrapping its claws around objects and then maintaining itself upright in order to perch. Speech and sounds may be added later in order to replicate the likeness of real birds in order to use SNAG in nature observation without scaring everything away.
Are There Other Animal Robots?
Of course! In fact, the NY Times reported about an extremely realistic fish robot that’s being used to scare off an invasive species of fish – the mosquitofish. There are also robotic therapy animals, mostly fashioned after cats and dogs, used in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities that help patients cope with the feeling of loneliness without the allergies and responsibilities of a real cat or dog.
We hope to see this type of technology flourish and help with missions such as search and rescue and preventing fires.
