A 26-Gram Butterfly-Inspired Robot Achieving Autonomous Tailless Flight
3 days ago
- #bio-inspired
- #autonomous-flight
- #robotics
- A 26-gram butterfly-inspired robot named AirPulse achieves autonomous tailless flight.
- AirPulse replicates butterfly biomechanics, including low wing aspect ratio and compliant carbon-fiber-reinforced wings.
- The robot uses low-frequency, high-amplitude flapping to induce body undulation for stability.
- Introduced the Stroke Timing Asymmetry Rhythm (STAR) generator for smooth and stable flapping control.
- AirPulse demonstrates stable climbing and turning maneuvers via angle offset or stroke timing modulation.
- This is the first onboard controlled flight of a two-winged, tailless butterfly-inspired FWMAV in peer-reviewed literature.
- Potential applications include confined-space inspection and ecological monitoring.
- Provides a physical model to study the erratic yet efficient flight of real butterflies.