Improving the Performance of a Hybrid Terrestrial and Aerial Quadrotor
Problem statement
When disaster strikes, every second can mean the difference between life and death-but search and rescue teams are often limited by the very terrain they are trying to overcome. Rugged landscapes, collapsed buildings, and flooded streets create formidable barriers that slow emergency responders and render traditional robotic solutions ineffective. Drones, like the DJI Mavic Pro, provide crucial aerial reconnaissance, but their inability to traverse ground-level obstacles leaves victims stranded beyond their reach. Meanwhile, ground rovers, such as NASA’s Mars Rover Opportunity, excel at navigating rough terrain but are powerless against cliffs, deep water, or unstable debris. Without a versatile solution, search efforts are delayed, resources are wasted, and lives that could be saved are lost. A hybrid quadcopter-rover would revolutionize emergency response by seamlessly shifting between flight and ground movement, ensuring no obstacle is insurmountable. Imagine a scenario where a collapsed building leaves survivors trapped beneath unstable wreckage-while rescuers strategize, a hybrid terrestrial-aerial robot could fly over fallen beams, land gently inside the structure, and maneuver through the rubble to assess conditions in real-time. Beyond search and rescue, this technology could be a game-changer in wildfire suppression, military reconnaissance, planetary exploration, and even humanitarian aid, delivering supplies to isolated regions. By developing an adaptable, all-terrain robotic system, we are not just advancing engineering’we are safeguarding lives, expanding human reach, and redefining the boundaries of what is possible.
Team members
Aidan Mir – admin
Daniel Stumpf – facilitator
Alexander Joliet – communicator
Will Maccarone – accountant
Client
Xiangru Xu
UW – Mechanical Engineering