A Biologically Inspired Morphing Micro Air-Land Vehicle (MMALV)

BioRobots, Case Western Reserve University, and The University of Florida have partnered with Boeing Phantom Works to develop a Morphing Micro Air-Land Vehicle (MMALV) to enhance military intelligence gathering capabilities in battlespace environments. Building on landmark successes in micro air vehicle fabrication at The University of Florida and micro robot implementation at Case Western Reserve University, BioRobots will perform a comprehensive, ground-up system integration study to facilitate MMALV with the maximum level of military utility. MMALV will be capable of autonomously flying several miles, landing within a target area, and morphing into an efficient, stable, highly mobile terrestrial robot. MMALV will also be able to move within a target area, including inside buildings and caves, to deliver superior surveillance. MMALV will be equipped with an array of sensors, as well as a transmitter/receiver to receive commands and broadcast surveillance data. Upon mission completion, MMALV will be able to launch and return to base, or move to another target. Phase I work will deliver: 1) A hybrid vehicle capable of aerial to terrestrial locomotion, 2) A `morphing' winged vehicle, capable of transforming locomotion modes autonomously, and 3) A fully integrated system design for MMALV, including platform, sensor, and control systems.