Scientists Borrow Inspiration from Nature to Create Next Generation Flying Robots

Flying robots aren't a thing of the future; they're something that scientists are already creating. Researchers have taken tips from nature in order to build the next generation of tiny, flying robots.

The first small drones have actually already been used in search and rescue operations in order to investigate hazardous and difficult-to-reach areas, such as in Fukushima, Japan. Now, though, researchers are designing the next generation with nature in mind.

The scientists examined the mechanisms adopted by birds, bats, insects and snakes in order to overcome some of the common problems that drones could be faced with when navigating an urban environment. In fact the researchers also developed an algorithm so that the microrobots could employ "flock-like" behavior.

Now, scientists have created a tiny robot the size of a one cent coin that can take off and land and hover in the air for sustained periods of time. Yet actually developing these tiny robots wasn't easy, the researchers took a look at insects to see how they overcame the elements, such as wind.

The researchers flew hawk moths through a number of different whirlwind conditions in a vortex chamber. They then careful examined the mechanisms that the insects used to successfully regain flight control.

"Flying animals can be found everywhere in our cities," wrote David Lentink of Stanford University in a news release. "From scavenging pigeons to alcohol-sniffing fruit flies that make precision landings in our wine glasses, these animals have quickly learnt how to control their flight through urban environments to exploit our resources. To enable our drones to fly equally well in wind and clutter, we need to solve several flight control challenges during all flight phases: take-off, cruising, and landing."

The latest findings about these flying robots and the ways scientists drew inspiration from nature can be found in the journal Bioinspiration & Biometics. You can check out the special issue of the journal with all of the articles here.