SQUID: 3D Printable Drone That Can Be Launched from Moving Cars

There are plenty of good reasons to want to launch drones from moving vehicles. For instance, by doing so, one can fly drones away from high-value assets. SQUID is a 3D printable multirotor that can launch from a 3″ barrel and open mid-air to achieve stable flight.

As you can see in the above video, SQUID doesn’t need a stationary takeoff pad. As the researchers explain:

The transition is accomplished via passive unfolding of the multirotor arms, triggered by a nichrome burn wire release mechanism.

The design has been field tested from a moving vehicle up to 50mph.

[HT]