HOW DRAGONFLIES, BIRDS AND BATS ARE INSPIRING DRONE DESIGNS

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HOW DRAGONFLIES, BIRDS AND BATS ARE INSPIRING
DRONE DESIGNS
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• Ever since the first primitive drones were
  invented and used in warfare well over a hundred
  years ago, we have been continually redesigning
  them and using them for a variety of purposes.
  Nowadays, drones use top of the range technology
  and scientists look towards the natural world to
  inspire the way in which they operate, such as
  tracking and monitoring the flights of birds and
  beasties.
• Winged animals are experts at flying in all
  manner of conditions, and so to create the
  perfect drone, scientists are attempting to
  uncover more and more of the secrets to the
  flying success of critters such as dragonflies,
  birds and bats

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• How dragonflies and other insects are inspiring
  drone designs
• Designed to mimic the way in which dragonflies
  move from a to b, a 12 cm long, 30 g drone named
  Skeeter will be able to manoeuvre far better
  than any comparable vehicle, and fly further at a
  fraction of the cost, too. With wings that will
  be light and need less energy than rotors, the
  compact Skeeter will be perfect for use in urban
  areas such as streets, disaster areas or covert
  surveillance in enemy territory.

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• Fruit flies can fly even with damaged wings, and
  extensive research into how birds and bugs
  compensate for missing or injured wings, has
  helped scientists to design drones that will
  still be able to fly when damaged.
• Many small insects are wingless, but if they fall
  from whatever they happen to be perched on, they
  can right themselves mid drop, and all without
  the help of wings. Understanding this has helped
  drone designers to come up with a UAV that can
  perform in much the same way.

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• How birds are inspiring drone designs
• Able to plunge into water from midair, the
  Aquatic Micro Air Vehicle (AquaMAV) has wings
  that fold up when it dives, designed to perfectly
  mimic the actions of certain water birds.
• Owls have helped scientists and drone designers
  to understand more about silent flying, and
  drones are being designed that will be able to
  produce noiseless flight in much the same way.
• Studying how birds keep up their forward momentum
  while flying at speed through gaps and between
  objects, has enabled drones to be designed that
  will be

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• capable of the same feats. Pigeons were tracked
  and recorded while in flight, and the way in
  which they navigate their way through and past
  obstacles, gave researchers great insight into
  their flying capabilities.
• How bats are inspiring drone designs
• The Bat Bot is the result of extensive research
  and studies, and mimics the unique way in which
  bats fly soaring, sweeping and diving. Weighing
  a mere 3 ounces, this experimental drone could be
  effectively used in construction zones, as it
  flaps its wings to achieve certain aerial
  manoeuvers and glides to save energy. Believe it
  or not, it can also divebomb upon command.

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• Drones are the future, and with this new breed of
  animal, bird and insect inspired UAVs, that
  future looks pretty exciting.
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