Researchers Introduce Floating Drone to Transport Goods
2024-10-30
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1South Korean researchers have developed a drone designed to stay level when transporting goods over many kinds of surfaces.
2A team at Seoul National University of Science and Technology built a prototype, or test model of the drone.
3The team recently demonstrated the aircraft for reporters from Reuters.
4The prototype has a transport carrier attached to a drone structure.
5It is supported by several propellers and rotors that control its height, speed and direction in the air.
6The aircraft has a handle workers can push to guide it where it needs to go.
7Members of the development team showed how the drone can keep itself level while floating, even when transporting goods up or down stairs.
8Leaders of the research say the drone is programmed to predict human actions for effective interactions.
9Lee Seung-jae is a professor of mechanical system design engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology.
10He was a leader of the project.
11The research results appeared in a study in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters.
12The publication is part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, based in New York.
13Lee told Reuters tests of the drone showed it could transport objects up to 3 kilograms.
14He admitted this weight restriction likely limits the drone's use cases for many businesses.
15But he noted that the transporter's design and operating equipment could be used to create a series of other kinds of drone vehicles.
16Lee said one example would be to use the transporter to carry sensitive or breakable materials.
17The technology could also be used to develop "flying taxis" to transport humans, he added.
18When used in a flying taxi, Lee said the drones could be used to change batteries while still flying in the air, instead of having to return to a ground station for recharging.
19In general, experts say drones with multiple propellers are easier to control and move in many different settings.
20But they are also slower and cannot travel as far on a battery charge.
21Drones with multiple rotors have already been used to transport small amounts of goods, food and medical supplies.
22But experts say it is difficult to widely expand use of such drones for commercial purposes.
23This is because such activities would require larger batteries a smaller aircraft could not support.
24I'm Bryan Lynn.
1South Korean researchers have developed a drone designed to stay level when transporting goods over many kinds of surfaces. 2A team at Seoul National University of Science and Technology built a prototype, or test model of the drone. The team recently demonstrated the aircraft for reporters from Reuters. 3The prototype has a transport carrier attached to a drone structure. It is supported by several propellers and rotors that control its height, speed and direction in the air. The aircraft has a handle workers can push to guide it where it needs to go. 4Members of the development team showed how the drone can keep itself level while floating, even when transporting goods up or down stairs. Leaders of the research say the drone is programmed to predict human actions for effective interactions. 5Lee Seung-jae is a professor of mechanical system design engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. He was a leader of the project. The research results appeared in a study in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. The publication is part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, based in New York. 6Lee told Reuters tests of the drone showed it could transport objects up to 3 kilograms. He admitted this weight restriction likely limits the drone's use cases for many businesses. But he noted that the transporter's design and operating equipment could be used to create a series of other kinds of drone vehicles. 7Lee said one example would be to use the transporter to carry sensitive or breakable materials. The technology could also be used to develop "flying taxis" to transport humans, he added. 8When used in a flying taxi, Lee said the drones could be used to change batteries while still flying in the air, instead of having to return to a ground station for recharging. 9In general, experts say drones with multiple propellers are easier to control and move in many different settings. But they are also slower and cannot travel as far on a battery charge. 10Drones with multiple rotors have already been used to transport small amounts of goods, food and medical supplies. But experts say it is difficult to widely expand use of such drones for commercial purposes. This is because such activities would require larger batteries a smaller aircraft could not support. 11I'm Bryan Lynn. 12Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 13___________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15drone - n. a pilotless aircraft 16propeller - n. a piece of equipment made of two or more flat metal pieces that turn around and cause an aircraft to move 17rotor - n. a part of a machine that spins, especially the device supporting the turning blades of an aircraft 18handle - n. the part of something a person uses to hold or open it 19battery - n. an object that provides electricity for things such as radios, toys, cars, etc. 20commercial - adj. relating to the selling and buying of goods or services