The eMotionSpheres show how several flying objects can move within a defined airspace in a coordinated manner. Whether they are moving individually or collectively, there are no collisions – even in chaotic situations – as the spheres move out of each other’s way with the help of stored behaviour patterns.
Ten cameras installed in the space detect the spheres via their active infrared markers and pass on the position data to a central master computer. The actions calculated from this process are sent back to the spheres, which then implement them locally. The intelligent networking system creates a guidance and monitoring system which could be used in the networked factory of the future.
Each of the eight balls has a diameter of 95 centimetres and is filled with helium. They are each driven by eight small propellers, which are attached to their outer shell. The drives are adaptive and supply the same efficient thrust in a forward and reverse direction, which is a first when it comes to flying objects.
The knowledge gained from the work on the BionicOpter was incorporated into the design of the adaptive propellers. Our developers took the wing principle of the artificial dragonfly a step further and transferred it to the unique drives of the spheres.
Like the wings of the BionicOpter the propellers of the spheres consist of a stable frame, covered with a flexible membrane. The laser-sintered frame is twisted once, thus making a figure of eight. Since the film is not absolutely tight, it inflates to one side or the other, depending on the direction in which the propeller is spinning. This creates a passive effect, which also occurs on the flapping wings of the artificial dragonfly.