Researchers have created a pigeon-inspired robot with bird-like reflexes, enabling it to stay stable in turbulent conditions.
To regulate its movements, researchers developed PigeonBot II, a bioinspired aerial robot with morphing wings and a tail designed to mimic bird-like movements using a biomimetic skeleton and real pigeon feathers.
The robot can tilt, expand, elevate, or move its tail from side to side in addition to spreading its wings.
Wind tunnel and outdoor tests showed that reflexive tail adjustments and wing morphing mitigated Dutch roll instability and enabled stable, autonomous flight during takeoff, cruising, and landing.
According to the team led by Eric Chang from Stanford University, the findings shed light on how birds, as opposed to airplanes, can fly steadily without a rudder or vertical tail.
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