Robot simulates the seagull

Festo has introduced a seagull bird, weighing 450g but with a wingspan of 1.96m, was named SmartBird. This robot can fly off the ground like a bird, able to navigate without the help of additional transmission.

Festo said they successfully deciphered the flight mechanism of the real bird. The robotic bird wings, not only by the lever mechanism, increase the degree of deviation from the trunk to the wing tip, but can also be rotated to a specific angle along the length the real gull can perform.

The navigation is through the opposite movement of the bird's head and body. So, it will be synchronized by two engines and two electric cables that make the wings bend aerodynamically to keep the bird moving and agile. The Smartbird's tail just makes it easy to leave the ground, playing the role of a bird helicopter to adjust the direction of flight.

Robot seagull image (Photo Gizmag)