Thanks to its unique design, the HAGAMOSphere drone can fly in all directions without tilting, and even move on the ground by rolling.
HAGAMOSphere, a ball-shaped drone that can move in all directions, was awarded the Innovation Award Honoree and displayed at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, from January 7 to 10. The award shows that the prototype is recognized for its outstanding design and engineering. This is the first time that leading Japanese chemical company DIC has received this award.
DIC collaborated with Masashi Miwa, an associate professor at Tokushima University, and drone development company Hishida to develop and test the new drone. DIC participated in selecting materials for the drone, designing the structure needed for mass production, and using computer-aided engineering (CAE) to run flight simulations.
“We aim to provide new value to society through innovative technologies and initiatives,” said Takashi Ikeda, president and CEO of DIC.
Over the past few years, the design of drones around the world has undergone many changes. They are equipped with many devices that help keep the flight stable without tilting, which is a remarkable achievement.
Inside the HAGAMOSphere are 8 propellers mounted on a cube frame. A proprietary algorithm keeps the drone balanced by controlling the rotation of the 8 propellers. This allows it to move forward, backward, left, and right without tilting.
DIC has further improved by developing a special spherical protective layer that allows the drone to roll on the ground and move on its own. This allows the drone to operate both in the air and on the ground as required, expanding its range of applications. With its unique capabilities, the drone can be used for research, search and rescue, reconnaissance, disaster response, and even in drone racing.
