Photo credits: Festo - Bionic Learning Network
Biomimicry robot bird SmartBird Festo (silver gull), aerodynamic and ultralight, takes off, flies and lands alone
Find more information about the product below.
The ultralight bird impresses with its exceptional aerodynamics and, unlike comparable flying models, can take off, fly and land on its own without additional training.
Made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, and polyurethane foam, the SmartBird is an absolute featherweight with maximum agility: with a length of 1,07 meters and a wingspan of 1,96 meters, it weighs only about 450 grams. This lightweight construction, combined with an intelligent onboard system, makes the SmartBird's unique flight technique possible.
Excellent aerodynamics thanks to active torsion
Thanks to its special wing profile and the targeted twisting of its flapping wings, the SmartBird achieves an aerodynamic efficiency of over 80%. The wings not only flap up and down, but also twist in a specific way. This is achieved through active torsional drive of the joints, which provides both lift and propulsion. This functional integration allows the flight of birds to be technically deciphered.
Process stability through state monitoring
During flight, data such as wing position, wing twist, and battery status are continuously recorded by software and checked in real time. This allows control parameters to be adapted to new situations and optimized in a fraction of a second. Continuous diagnostics ensure flight stability and, therefore, the operational safety of the artificial bird.
Knowledge gains for automation technologies
The SmartBird provides valuable information for our core business in automation technology – particularly in the field of aerodynamics. This information can help us develop new components that require minimal installation space, are optimized for flow rate, and thus become more resource- and energy-efficient. The functional integration of coupled drives provides us with insights for the design and optimization of hybrid drive technologies. Potential applications range from lifting vane generators for water-based energy production to novel actuators in process automation.
