Watch: Drone trades cameras for touch to master the art of perching on branches

Researchers at TU Delft have built a drone that perches on branches using touch instead of cameras. The drone's three-fingered robotic hand uses tactile sensors to detect and grip a branch, adjusting its position through physical contact rather than visual data. Once securely perched, it shuts off its motors, saving battery and reducing noise, which could help drones operate longer in forests and cluttered environments.