Robotic legs allow EPFL’s drone to take off autonomously

EPFL researchers have developed RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments), a versatile drone equipped with birdlike legs that enable it to walk, hop, and jump into flight. Inspired by perching birds such as ravens and crows, which adeptly transition between air and land, RAVEN’s multifunctional legs allow it to autonomously take off in environments that are typically challenging for conventional winged drones to navigate.