Scientists Just Created a Crash-Proof Drone

Mid-air drone collisions just got a lot less scary.

And far less entertaining.

Researchers at the Swiss University EPFL recently created a crash-proof drone inspired by the bodies of insects: their research was guided by the joint in a wasp’s wings. According to The Verge, a test drone with a dual-stiffness frame (flexible during collisions but rigid during flight) was able to crash 50 times with no permanent damage.

Although this theory was tested with only a small, 50-g quadcopter, it portends a new, safer path for delivery drones in our increasingly crowded skies. Sadly, it also means we may no longer be able to enjoy the postmodern phenomenon of digitally recorded drone carnage, as found in these videos:

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Kirk Miller

Kirk Miller is InsideHook’s Senior Lifestyle Editor (and longest-serving resident). He writes a lot about whisk(e)y, cocktails, consumer goods and artificial intelligence.