Bird-inspired system could result in smoother flights

[Centrics]

Turbulence can be unpleasant enough for passengers in full-sized aircraft, but it's even more of a challenge for unmanned micro air vehicles (MAVs) – a good gust can blow one of the little drones completely off course, or even cause it to crash. That's why a team from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, has looked to birds for a solution. The result is a system that detects turbulence before it buffets the MAV, allowing the aircraft to anticipate it and thus maintain a smoother flight. The technology could also be applicable to regular airplanes... Continue Reading Bird-inspired system could result in smoother flights

Section: Aircraft

Tags: Biomimicry, Birds, Drone, Flight, MAV, RMIT University, UAV

Related Articles:

• X-56A to aid NASA in development of new kinds of lightweight, flexible aircraft
• Soaring towards greater UAV endurance using urban updrafts
• Aircraft of the future will flex their wings
• Laser-based turbulence detector could mean safer flights
• 'Flying chameleon' simulates future flying wing aircraft
• World's first hummingbird-like unmanned aircraft system takes flight

-->

The rest of the story
Gizmag