Abstract
With the aim to extend the versatility and adaptability of
robots in complex environments, a novel multi-modal flying and walking robot is
presented. The robot consists of a flying wing with adaptive morphology that
can perform both long distance flight and walking in cluttered environments for
local exploration. The robotʼs design is inspired by the common vampire bat
Desmodus rotundus, which can perform aerial and terrestrial locomotion with
limited trade-offs. Wings' adaptive morphology allows the robot to modify the
shape of its body in order to increase its efficiency during terrestrial
locomotion. Furthermore, aerial and terrestrial capabilities are powered by a
single locomotor apparatus, therefore it reduces the total complexity and
weight of this multi-modal robot.