"The idea is that just by simply getting something to oscillate it offers increased stability," said Tobalske. Xinyan Deng, another co-author of the new study, and her colleagues at the University of Delaware are using the high-speed photography to create flapping robots that bring humans a little closer to the speed and maneuverability of these animal aces. The first robot sits in a container of mineral oil, flapping its wings to "fly" in the liquid. The other robots are 10 to 15 centimeters from wingtip to wingtip and are designed to be true flyers, eventually. So far Deng has gotten the robots to flap their wings, but has yet to achieve lift. A wing-flapping robot would have many advantages over fixed-wing aircraft, said Deng. Wing-flapping robots, like their organic counterparts, would be easier to control and could operate in a much smaller area. The new research also shows that wing-flapping aircraft would have an inherent stability that scientists previously didn't expect. "Usually if you have increased stability that means you have decreased mobility," and vice versa, said Deng. "Here it looks like you get a little bit of both." Related Links: |
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