New Flying Robot Can Grasp Perches with Mechanical Talons

Biomimicry is the design of artificial parts or systems that emulate those found in nature. Robot arms, for example, are common examples of biomimicry, as they emulate the general movement of human arms. Because animals and other biological entities are remarkably efficient machines, roboticists often turn to biomimicry for design inspiration. But truly reproducing the capability of biological tissue has proven to be elusive, which limits success of biomimetic robots. That’s why this winged flying robot that can grasp perches with mechanical talons is so impressive.

Long before helicopters, airplanes, and even hot air balloons, most attempts at human flight focused on biomimicry. People would strap artificial bird wings onto their arms and try to flap away into the sky. But those all failed to varying degrees of horror and spectacle. Wings do not a bird make—avians and their ability to fly are much more complicated than simple flapping wings. It took humanity a long time to understand the basic aerodynamic principles of how flapping wings produce lift, and reproducing those principles is difficult. This flying ornithopter achieves that and also the ability to land on branches like a bird does.

An ornithopter is simply a flying machine that flies by flapping its wings. Like a bird, a ornithopter needs to be very lightweight. That limits the amount of hardware an ornithopter can carry, which led to two key aspects of this projects: onboard control and a reason to perch. Many ornithopters require tethers to supply power and motor commands. But this model carries most of what it needs onboard, including a battery and a computer navigation system. That computer works in concert with an external motion capture system that aids in guidance. Together, they can guide the ornithopter to land on branch-like perches.

When coming in for a landing, the ornithopter spreads its wings like a bird does to create drag and slow down. It opens it claw mechanism, which contains a shock-absorbing component that helps to gently slow the craft. As soon as the mechanism makes contact, the talons close and latch onto the branch. This provides the ornithopter with a secure perch on which it can rest. The idea is that similar robots equipped with solar panels could recharge themselves, dramatically expanding their range and operational time. The demonstrated robot doesn’t have the hardware necessary for such recharging, but the required components are readily available.