Swiss engineers are exploring ways to use flying robots in architecture. During an experiment at ETH Zurich a couple of quadcopters have autonomously built a 7-meter rope bridge robust enough for a human to cross. The drones were equipped with robotic rope spools that were used to control the tension of the rope as they were winding them on anchor points – two scaffolding structures – and on other elements of the rope. About 120 meters of lightweight high-performance polyethylene cord was used. The bridge was tested by the engineering team working under Professor Raffaello D'Andrea. READ MORE: 'Unexplored territory': Robots to build 3D-printed bridge across Amsterdam canal Previously, researchers programmed quadcopters to build a 6-meter tower from foam blocks for an exhibition in France.
Swiss engineers at ETH Zurich have used three quadcopters to autonomously build a seven metre rope bridge, strong enough for humans to cross. The drones were built with a rope spool, capable of tightening the rope around two scaffolding structures. A total of 120 metres of rope was used to build the bridge structure.