One of the fastest growing markets today is the drone market. There are so many different types of drones all with a wide range of capabilities. From micro insect sized drones to expansive 6-8 rotor drones, their useful applications are proving unlimited. However, there is one major issue that all drones and their operators have to deal with. Regardless of their size, their flight is often limited because of battery lifespans.

Countless companies have been trying to find a solution to this issue. But they keep running in circles because to have a battery with a longer lifespan means creating a bigger battery, which then needs to be supported by a bigger drone, negating the size/efficiency of the battery. However, according to a paper published in the journal of Science Robotics one research team just might have found an answer.

Rather than creating a bigger battery, they pose a way of giving a drone the opportunity to conserve the energy released from it’s already existing battery. Scientist have often looked to nature to solve mechanical issues. For example, there are drones designed after the extraordinary natural body of a bee to be able to fly with precision. Now this research team is using data collected by other avian creatures to see how they conserve energy in flight. Specifically how birds and bats use their claws to perch on surfaces.

They have created tiny claw like feet to mount on the bottom of a drone that can grip surfaces. The claws are moveable so that if a drone needs to rest on a vertical or horizontal surface it can do so. The drone can perch upright, on it’s side, or even upside down. While it is in perch mode it can shut down some or all of it’s rotors without completely powering down. This should be able to extend the flight time of the battery without having to increase the size of the actual battery.

The system is still in it’s trial phase, but the ramifications of this being successful are tremendous. No longer would drones and batteries need to be reconfigured to the right weight limited to a short battery lifespan. Instead, drones will be able to use their battery power efficiently by taking mid flight breaks, just like a bird!