Treehopper - 角蝉（jiao chan）- Ultra-lightweight mini droneTreehopper
First mini drone robot designed by Standard form. Inc. They were originally designed as artificial pollination drones to help plants grow in environments that have not established an ecosystem fit for natural pollination. With a wingspan of 73 mm and a body length of 20 mm, the treehopper weighs just 58 g.
The model’s flying membrane is wafer-thin, ultralight whilst also robust. It consists of an airtight film and a 3d printed elastane fabric, which are welded together at 45,000 points. Due to its elasticity, the creases are minimal, even when the wings are retracted. The fabric’s structure prevents small cracks in the flying membrane from getting bigger. This means that the treehopper can continue flying even if the fabric sustains minor damage.
The treehopper is able to move autonomously in both defined and undefined spaces, it communicates with a motion-tracking system. The installation constantly records its position. At the same time, the system plans the flight paths and delivers the necessary control commands. An operator performs the takeoff and landing manually. The autopilot takes over in flight.
Future iterations will include a mothership drone that can control swarms of treehoppers.
First mini drone robot designed by Standard form. Inc. They were originally designed as artificial pollination drones to help plants grow in environments that have not established an ecosystem fit for natural pollination. With a wingspan of 73 mm and a body length of 20 mm, the treehopper weighs just 58 g.
The model’s flying membrane is wafer-thin, ultralight whilst also robust. It consists of an airtight film and a 3d printed elastane fabric, which are welded together at 45,000 points. Due to its elasticity, the creases are minimal, even when the wings are retracted. The fabric’s structure prevents small cracks in the flying membrane from getting bigger. This means that the treehopper can continue flying even if the fabric sustains minor damage.
The treehopper is able to move autonomously in both defined and undefined spaces, it communicates with a motion-tracking system. The installation constantly records its position. At the same time, the system plans the flight paths and delivers the necessary control commands. An operator performs the takeoff and landing manually. The autopilot takes over in flight.
Future iterations will include a mothership drone that can control swarms of treehoppers.
