When it comes to drones, agility and versatility are typically sacrificed for specialized tasks. Enter RAVEN—a revolutionary drone from EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS)—that challenges this limitation by mimicking the adaptability of birds. Short for Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments, RAVEN blends walking, hopping, and flight capabilities into a single lightweight package.

Developed under the guidance of Dario Floreano, RAVEN draws inspiration from crows, which seamlessly transition between land and air. The drone features birdlike legs designed by PhD researcher Won Dong Shin using mathematical modeling and simulation. These legs integrate lightweight springs and motors, simulating the tendons and muscles that give birds their trademark agility. At just 0.62 kg, the drone is compact yet robust, capable of navigating rough terrain, jumping over obstacles, and taking off from tight spaces.

Why this matters

Traditional drones face limitations in navigating complex environments—especially where flight alone isn’t feasible, such as cluttered urban settings or disaster zones. RAVEN’s design enables it to bridge these gaps. It can walk, traverse uneven terrain, and use an energy-efficient jumping takeoff, which saves battery life compared to hovering start methods. These abilities open possibilities for applications in areas like search and rescue, deliveries to confined spaces, and even environmental monitoring.

“Birds were the inspiration for airplanes in the first place, and the Wright brothers made this dream come true, but even today’s planes are still quite far from what birds are capable of,” says LIS PhD student Won Dong Shin. “Birds can transition from walking to running to the air and back again, without the aid of a runway or launcher. Engineering platforms for these kinds of movements are still missing in robotics.”

Moreover, the collaboration between EPFL’s LIS and researchers at the BioRobotics Lab and Neuromechanics Lab demonstrates the interdisciplinary efforts driving RAVEN’s development. The project not only showcases robotics but also deepens our understanding of how birds’ leg-and-wing coordination aids in energy efficiency and adaptability.

What’s next?

RAVEN’s current prototype is just the beginning. The research team is exploring improvements for landing on diverse surfaces and refining its control mechanisms. Their work also sheds light on the mechanics of bird locomotion, potentially influencing future drone designs to further emulate nature’s solutions.

RAVEN is a testament to bio-inspired innovation, merging biology and robotics into a functional, efficient system that could redefine how drones interact with the world.