eMotion­Spheres

Year

2014

The idea

The wing principle of the BionicOpter from 2013 was transferred to a formation of airborne objects.

The objective

The eMotionSpheres move through space with maximum energy efficiency, adaptation and autonomy without colliding.

Technical data

• Diameter: 95 cm
• Material: 7-layer, bi-directionally stretched PE-PP foil
• Foil thickness: 25 µm
• Weight: 27 g/m2
• Markers: 4 infrared LEDs
• Energy supply: 2 lithium-polymer batteries
• Propeller material: sintered polyamide and translucent PE foil
• Propeller foil thickness: 5 µm
• Propeller weight: < 1 g

Operating principle

The airborne helium spheres each have eight small propellers fitted to their outer skin. The propeller blades, with a twisted frame in the form of a figure eight, are covered with a wafer-thin membrane. Depending on the direction of rotation, the membrane bends to one side or the other, resulting in a passive effect as in the flapping wing of the BionicOpter robotic dragonfly.

Propulsion

The adaptive propellers provide a thrust of 42 grams for each of the eight eMotionSpheres. An unusual feature is that the power is exactly the same for both directions of rotation. Thanks to this innovative drive principle, the spheres can rotate about their own axis and move in any direction with virtually no delay.

Flight manoeuvres

The eMotionSpheres move together in formation or execute individual flight manoeuvres while reliably avoiding collision. This is made possible by an indoor GPS that operates within a defined airspace extending three to six metres above the ground. Infrared cameras record the position and orientation of the spheres and convey this data to a master computer. From there, the airborne objects receive their control signals via radio; these are calculated on the basis of pre-programmed paths and stored behaviour patterns.

Material

eMotionSpheres