Maiden flight for iRonCub3 humanoid robot
Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have demonstrated the world's first flight of a humanoid robot equipped with jet propulsion.
During flight experiments, the iRonCub3 robot was able to lift itself off the ground by about 50cm while maintaining stability.
The team said this was possible thanks to advanced studies in thermodynamics and aerodynamics and the development of control software based on artificial intelligence. The future goal is to apply this type of technology to support humans in responding to emergency situations or for explorations in extreme environments and search and rescue missions.
According to the team, iRonCub3’s flight represents the latest success achieved by the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence (AMI) laboratory of the IIT in Genoa, led by Daniele Pucci. The two year project included flight tests, and involved the study of the aerodynamics of the robot's body and the development of control software capable of managing the different parts that make up the robot.
The aerodynamics and control studies are described in a paper published in Nature Communications Engineering.
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