More and more drones replicate animals and insects in an attempt to create a better design. These designs, based on insect anatomy or animal movement, can create a far more efficient output. Some designs create a more durable drone that can survive (and repair itself) after numerous crashes. Other designs can give a lighter or more effective flight pattern that can save battery and parts.
A recent drone takes these animal adaptations to the next level. This particular drone tries to mimic a bird’s flight and mid-air movement. The bird drone does this by having a design mimicking an actual bird’s, with two wings and a movable tail instead of spinning rotors. With the norms of drones involving fast spinning rotors to create flight, this one creates action by flapping its wings.
Experimental Bird Drone Flapping Away
The bird drone also has adjustable rear to navigate changing air currents, same with an actual bird. The drone can create flight and may even be more effective than its rotor-powered cousins. By flapping its wings, it can generate flight while using lesser power. Using wind gusts to its advantage (similar to other birds) to glide can improve the battery life even more. This bird drone also may be able to last longer than the norms of drones, which currently peaks at around 30 minutes.
Of course, this bird drone idea is still in its very early stages. There is still more to be done before drones (or technology in general) can fully replicate nature. This is the case for the replication of both function and appearance. It may still be a long way to go before we see the trend of drone designs change to that of a bird’s.
Nevertheless, with promises of better efficiency and power usage, what can go wrong with these designs? Will newer generations of drones pattern themselves more into these trends? What do you guys think?
