Crossing gaps: Drones can build rope bridges all by themselves (VIDEO)
Swiss engineers are exploring ways to use flying robots in architecture. During an experiment at ETH Zurich a couple of quadcopters have autonomously built a 7-meter rope bridge robust enough for a human to cross.
The drones were equipped with robotic rope spools that were used to control the tension of the rope as they were winding them on anchor points – two scaffolding structures – and on other elements of the rope. About 120 meters of lightweight high-performance polyethylene cord was used.
Ways to use flying robots in architectureFlying robots build bridges all by themselves now
Posted by RT Play on Tuesday, September 22, 2015
The bridge was tested by the engineering team working under Professor Raffaello D'Andrea.
READ MORE: 'Unexplored territory': Robots to build 3D-printed bridge across Amsterdam canal
Previously, researchers programmed quadcopters to build a 6-meter tower from foam blocks for an exhibition in France.
