Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a trial helicopter with robotic legs that can land without problems on uneven or even moving ground.

The helicopters were fitted with four articulated, jointed, automated legs with force-sensitive contact sensors on their feet. When the helicopter lands, the legs can extend or contract according to the terrain as well as fold up during flight.

This will enable the helicopters to land on surfaces with a gradient of up to 20 degrees or moving surfaces, like landing platforms in violent seas, DARPA said.