Robotic bird could fix drones’ biggest aerodynamic problem

Robotic bird could fix drones’ biggest aerodynamic problem

Researchers used motion-capture technology to record exactly how a kestrel adjusts its wings and tail in turbulent air

A robotic bird tested in a wind tunnel may hold the blueprint for drones that can finally handle a windy day. Researchers from RMIT University (in Melbourne, Australia) and the University of Bristol (UK) have reverse-engineered the Australian kestrel (Falco cenchroides) to understand how it hovers effortlessly in gusty winds and what that means for the small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV) that still can’t.

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Category: Drones, Consumer Tech, Technology

Tags: RMIT University, drones, Falcon, Aircraft, Aerodynamic, University of Bristol