A team of engineers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) has created a truly unique robot—one that can roll like a drum on the ground and take off and fly like a spinning wheel. In a paper published in the International Journal of Robotics Research, the team details their goals, development process, and how the robot works.

The team's objective was to build a small, lightweight robot capable of two modes of transportation: ground mobility and rotational aerial flight. To achieve this, they designed a framework that simultaneously supports both motion types in different configurations.

The robot is roughly basketball-sized, primarily constructed from a wireframe resembling a small snare drum. Inside, it features a blade-like wing similar to a helicopter's maple seed, which generates lift during rotation. The team added crossed wires on both sides to prevent the robot from getting stuck if it tips over.

It includes two actuators, two tiny rotors that act as thrusters to propel the robot while rolling on the ground or in the air, two small circuit boards, and a compact battery. The entire robot weighs just 124g.

Another achievement is its ability to perform both aerial and ground operations with extremely low energy consumption, though ground mode remains significantly more efficient. Most multimodal robots achieve energy savings in only one mode. The team named their robot ATOM (Aerial and Terrestrial Operation Monowing Robot) and highlighted that it uses only two actuators to perform all functions.

The robot can roll in straight lines on various surfaces using its frame as wheels and turn via its two rotors. It can also self-right if tipped. To switch to flight mode, it simply tilts at an angle to initiate full-frame rotation. Once airborne, it becomes a highly controllable horizontal spinning rotor.