Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
RELATED STORIES
Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date POSTED 13 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16
June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect POSTED 23 Dec 2015. BY Tom Anstey Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai
Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean
muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an
on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right
client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers
confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more
than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Precor
Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]
PSLT Ltd
PSLT Fitness Solutions manufacture, remanufacture and buy back commercial gym equipment. [more...]
Disney robot uses propellers to turn into wall-crawler
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
VertiGo extends the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments
Disney’s research arm has developed a robot capable of transitioning from the ground to the wall.
Dubbed VertiGo, the wall climbing robot was created in collaboration between Disney Research Zurich and Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university.
The four-wheel prototype uses two tiltable propellers that provide thrust to move the robot onto the wall and then to keep it there as it manoeuvres around the vertical surface. One set of the robot's wheels are steerable, and each propeller has two degrees of freedom for adjusting the direction of thrust.
The robot offers new capability for moving devices, extending the ability for robots to travel through both urban and indoor environments, something Disney could incorporate into its theme parks as part of immersive technology on rides, or use in its shows to create seemingly impossible effects. Developer Paul Beardsley told IEEE Spectrum that while he couldn’t discuss why Disney was developing VertiGo, one such use could be “robots with lighting effects for entertainment or wall games.”
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate. In addition, 3D-printed parts have been used and carbon-rods are used for more complex structures, such as the wheels and wheel suspension.
The robot works with two infrared distance sensors mounted on the front to estimate the robot's orientation in space, while the two propellers control speed and direction.
Weight on the VertiGo has been minimised by using a central carbon-fibre baseplate
RELATED STORIES
Disneyland Shanghai sets June opening date POSTED 13 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey Disney has set a new opening date for its first theme park in China, which will open on 16
June later this year.
Iger 'bullish' over Shanghai Disneyland prospect POSTED 23 Dec 2015. BY Tom Anstey Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is confident ahead of the launch of Shanghai
Disneyland next year, praising growth in the Chinese market.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean
muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept
designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an
on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right
client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers
confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more
than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Precor Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]