Design and Flight of an Ion-propelled Micro Hovercraft Leveraging Ground Proximity Effects

2026-08-04

AI Summary

This work proposes and demonstrates a centimeter-scale ion-propelled hovercraft that overcomes the low efficiency of conventional microscale ionic thrusters, which has previously hindered autonomous flight. For the first time in the open literature, it integrates atmospheric ion propulsion with a passive air-cushion skirt structure, leveraging ground-effect aerodynamics to significantly enhance thrust efficiency. Weighing only 1.6 grams, the vehicle can carry a 1.5-gram payload and achieves a measured thrust efficiency of 16 mN/W—representing an order-of-magnitude improvement over existing systems. It enables sustained tethered flight, withstands dozens of takeoff–landing cycles and strong disturbances, and operates with near-zero acoustic noise.

Abstract

Electroaerodynamic propulsion is compelling for use in micro air vehicles due to its silent and solid-state nature, but its limited efficiency has thus far precluded a path towards power-autonomous flight. Recent work has shown that thrust density and efficiency for small-scale atmospheric ion thrusters can be vastly increased when operating close to a ground plane. Here, we explore the design space of centimeter-scale hovercraft, which can leverage this ground effect for low-altitude flight. We first perform an empirical investigation, characterizing the performance benefits and trade-offs for different geometries and configurations of passive hovercraft skirts, then use the results to fabricate a viable point design. We demonstrate a palm-sized hovercraft that, while tethered to an external power source, can fly for extended periods, withstand dozens of takeoff and landing cycles, passively stabilize to reject significant mechanical disturbances, and generate practically zero audible noise signature. The measured thrust efficiency of 16 mN/W and additional payload capacity of almost 1.5 grams above the vehicle's self mass of about 1.6 grams exceeds any similarly sized electroaerodynamically propelled robot by an order of magnitude. This is the first time an ion-propelled micro hovercraft has been shown in the open literature, and our work points the way towards an entirely new class of robot.

Problem

• ion propulsion
• micro air vehicles
• ground effect
• electroaerodynamic
• hovercraft

Innovation

• ion propulsion
• ground effect
• micro hovercraft
• electroaerodynamic thrust
• silent flight