Nature-inspired flying robots

Nature-inspired flying robots

Birds and insects exhibit remarkable flight maneuverability and adaptability in diverse environments, outperforming existing human-designed drones. Here, we introduce bird- and insect-inspired drones that closely replicate the flapping and morphing flight of their biological counterparts. The bird-inspired drones feature morphing wings and tail covered with feather-like structures, enabling agile maneuvers. At the insect scale, our insect-inspired flapping drones can perform untethered flight for approximately nine minutes, execute effortless wing deployment and retraction without additional actuators, recover from in-flight wing collisions, and traverse tight gaps smaller than their wingspan.

 These platforms demonstrate enhanced maneuverability, environmental adaptability, and robust navigation in cluttered spaces, unlocking a wide range of applications, including search and rescue, all-terrain exploration, wildlife observation, education, and entertainment. Furthermore, their bio-informed design deepens our understanding of natural biomechanics, which are challenging to study in live animals within lab settings.

 

Share this speaker
Share This Speaker
  • Organization
    Laboratory of Intelligent Systems (LIS), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
  • Profession
    Bioinspired drones that fly like birds and insects