A research team from Switzerland-based École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has developed a new drone using an origami-inspired design.

Designed to deliver various products such as letters, medicine, first-aid supplies and food, the drone can fold and unfold its frame in a single movement.

Once flattened, the drone’s volume is reduced by 92%, enabling users to easily transport the vehicle.

Designed at EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems with fund from NCCR Robotics, the drone features various innovations to ensure a safe and autonomous flight.

Equipped with vertical take-off and land capabilities, the drone is capable of delivering parcels weighing up to 500g over a distance of 2km.

"We are exploring possibilities to increase the drone’s payload capacity and enhance its autonomy."

EPFL doctoral assistant and drone developer Przemyslaw Kornatowski said: “This project is a work in progress, in addition to strengthening its ability to detect and avoid objects, we are exploring possibilities to increase the drone’s payload capacity and enhance its autonomy.

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“Throughout the summer, we tested our human-friendly, drone-delivery system on the EPFL campus, delivering items to people over 150 test flights.”

The new origami-styled drone also features a specially designed self-flying software to avoid obstacles such as trees and buildings during flight.

It can be tracked in real-time using a tablet or smartphone. Following the completion of a delivery, the drone is capable of returning to its own destination.

According to the developer, the drone wraps around the cargo before making a flight. A foldable carbon-fibre cage is also included to protect the drone and the cargo in the event of a collision or fall.

The recipient of the package can catch the drone mid-flight without sustaining any injuries by the propellers, which are located within the structure and have a safety system to stop once the cage is opened.

Image: Origami-inspired drone. Photo: courtesy of EPFL.