# Touch-sensing drone prototype grips branches after uncertain camera estimates

_Published Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 9:06 AM EDT · Robotics, Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![The drone uses its touch-enabled grippers to locate and hang onto branches, which could come in handy in situations where its camera is blocked from seeing branches or other landing perches — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/03dd3e1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1050+0+142/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F7f%2Fe999d77e491486efb169fd40c448%2Fgripper-drone-hanging-onto-branch.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

Researchers at Delft University of Technology built a prototype drone that uses touch sensors to find and grip a branch after its camera estimates the branch's location. In tests, it landed successfully more than 99% of the time, including when the initial visual estimate was off by as much as 60 cm.

Three flexible fingers carry nine sensors that register contact and help the drone adjust its grip. Springs hold it on the branch without additional grip power. The system still uses a camera for its initial estimate.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/drones/bird-drone-sense-touch-grasp-branches/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/N4paib1F-1lUEIvfjKwbkl
Published: 2026-09-26T13:06:54.620Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-26T12:03:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-26T14:44:03.893Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)