Researchers have developed a flying robot that doesn’t mind bumping into objects.

Dubbed GimBall by its developers at EPFL’s Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, the ultralight flying spheroid has been inspired in part by flying insects that collide with objects but continue with their flight.

According to EPFL’s video report below, this capability, made possible through its passively rotating spherical cage for stabilisation, makes its suited to chaotic environments, such as collapsed buildings following an earthquake.

EPFL will be present at Robot Safari EU, which takes place on the weekend of 30 November and 1 December at the Science Museum, London.