Maple Seed Inspired Monocopter Breaks Flight Endurance Barriers

Image Credit: SUTD

Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have achieved a bold breakthrough in small-drone efficiency. Their new monocopter, modeled on the samara, the spinning winged seed of maple trees, hovers for 26 minutes on a single rotor, marking a dramatic leap forward in micro aerial robotics.

A decade earlier, SUTD tackled an endurance challenge tied to Singapore’s 50th anniversary: they built a multi-rotor drone capable of 50 minutes of flight. That model succeeded but was large, complex, and heavy.

Today’s solution is nearly the opposite: streamlined, lightweight, and built around efficiency.

The 32-gram design weighs about as much as a candy bar but delivers unmatched endurance. Its single actuator spins the winged body, achieving stable, fully controllable hover through passive dynamics, without the need for flaps, gearboxes, or redundant parts. 

That capability rests on two pillars: biomimicry and precision optimization. Taking cues from samaras, where every part enhances lift, the team crafted a frame where no component is wasted.

The team of researchers, led by Foong Shaohui, PhD, an associate professor at the SUTD, then ran AI-aided design workflows (surrogate optimization) to fine-tune wing shape, pitch angle, and mass distribution. 

The result?

A power loading of 9.1 grams per watt. That outpaces typical micro-air vehicles of similar size, redefining expectations for endurance at this scale. “It’s a first-of-its-kind achievement,” said Research Fellow Cai Xinyu. 

The state-of-the-art monocopter, called SG60, was developed a decade after completing the SG50 Multi-Rotor Drone, and it is actually a wonder in itself.

The combination of long flight time, minimal weight, and low cost opens up new use cases. One immediate application under exploration: a reusable radiosonde for weather data collection. That concept earned the Sustainability Winner distinction at the 2024 James Dyson Award. 

Looking ahead, the team plans to integrate custom parts, experiment with advanced materials, and refine wing geometries, all aimed at extending payload capacity and endurance without adding weight. Their ambition: a monocopter that surpasses 60 minutes of flight to mark Singapore’s 60th anniversary. 

This project offers a clear message to the industry: small-scale systems need not sacrifice efficiency. Through intelligent engineering, disciplined design, and nature-driven inspiration, SUTD has charted a new direction for aerial robotics.