Ornithopter with morphing-coupled wingbeat pattern

[IEEE TRO] A Novel Actuation Strategy for an Agile Bioinspired FWAV Performing a Morphing-Coupled Wingbeat Pattern.
This work has been published in IEEE Transactions on Robotics.
For more details, please check: doi.org/10.1109/TRO.2022.3189812

[@Kabab]

Extremely impressive. That can absolutely be mistaken for a bird already. It's performance seems remarkably better than any ornithopter I've seen too.

[@PapaPilt]

Just needs to 'stoop' instead of glide when landing 👍

[@Linkale_]

Birds don't flap their wings so often, is more like a bat

[@kasper7574]

all of it needs to be destroyed.

[@alexashworth3119]

@@kasper7574 Ahahaha 😆🤣

[@conorstewart2214]

@@kasper7574 why are you so scared?

[@Emiliocab47]

Best ornithopter I've seen...very impressive!

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Have you seen Kazuhiko Kakuta and all his birds?

[@Dudeman9339]

I mean... it flies pretty poorly. It does look good though.

[@williamcaton8432]

@@Dudeman9339 What are you talking about? It flys extremely well.

[@fdracing63]

@@williamcaton8432 no it really flies poorly , but it's a firt step before working on the wings shape , airfoil study will help

[@Emiliocab47]

@@AndyFromBeaverton No, but I'll do a search for them

[@mikeb1039]

Stunning in its realism. Especially the wings under load, sure looks like the same flexing. Very impressive.

[@Aditya-wg3lp]

Hi, im a pilot in usa, this is extremely impressive stuff, i had no idea a bird could even be mechanically replicated in such a manner

[@LateralTwitlerLT]

The banks and "evasive" maneuvers are very realistic compared to how medium-sized birds actually fly. Amazing and impressive work!

[@ck58npj72]

out of control is impressive?

[@LateralTwitlerLT]

@@ck58npj72 no, it's not.

[@chameleonedm]

@@ck58npj72 oh man you really have nothing better to do huh

[@crispy9175]

"actually fly", you know birds aren't real, kek.

[@drawingrealistic8769]

​@@crispy9175Birds are real. Want lots of proof by me?

[@stuchatterton6550]

That is a serious piece of engineering, and quite beautiful in flight as well. Extraordinary.

[@Big_Black_Dick]

yeah fact lol very extraordinary

[@kasper7574]

its a dangerous piece of engineering that should be destroyed immediately...

[@Big_Black_Dick]

@@kasper7574 😂 yeah, we can't risk Moscow or Beijing getting their hands on it lol

[@donaldgodin3491]

Although it's quite impressive, it's only a copy of what God has already created, and I have yet to hear, that a real falcon is a very, very impressive bird. But people are marvelled at a man made copy of the real thing! Really weird, isn't it? People should marvel a lot more at God's creation, than they do for a copy of a bird that will never reproduce!

[@stuchatterton6550]

@@donaldgodin3491 Perhaps you should be spending time on a nature channel instead. I have no doubt people will be marveling aplenty over the evolution of various creatures.

[@izregistered]

Orville and Wilbur would be so proud of your accomplishment Chen.

[@BJbear2001]

Absolutely beautiful wing beats. This ornithopter looks like a convincing grackle or falcon from a distance. I hope more drones can follow this ornithopter design in the future. It's beauty in flight!

[@plantfeeder6677]

Ya so you'll never know when someone is watching you. You drone people are evil and don't even know it.😣

[@kpasa111]

Wow, good work. Not sure if this can be turned into something that can be commercialized but even if it can't, it's still worth doing. All of those people who built those clunky "flying machines" of the 1800's would probably be saying, "See, I told you that flapping wings was the way to go." This guy nailed it!

[@Andrey_Gysev]

I think ornithopters can be commercialized if they'll be able to hold their position in mid-air. Then, they'll compete with both planes and drones.

[@insanecbrotha]

use case: loitering munition disguised as a bird!

[@DandSCreations]

@@insanecbrotha be a big ass bird

[@biko9824]

@@DandSCreations a bomb the size of a eagle could still do some harm… besides, if it’s high up it’s hard to judge the size anyways.

[@DandSCreations]

@@biko9824 for certain. Take a look at our videos haha. kzbin.infonbooMKaMPB0?feature=share

[@KatorianLegacy]

The way it bounces when it hits the ground from gliding kinda looks like when a real bird goofs it's landing and tumbles for a moment to recover, and I love it

[@samlamingluthier]

Utterly incredible! Bravo to the makers.

[@skp6753]

This ornithopter design is truly innovative, incorporating a morphing-coupled wingbeat pattern to optimize flight performance. I am impressed by the attention to detail in this project and the effort put into maximizing efficiency. Great work!"

[@Kimchi_Studios]

WOW! It looks so real! Congrats on an incredible project!

[@bigred8438]

Incredible accuracy and precision. This wing beat pattern is also the exact replica of a flying fox wing beat also, although theirs is possibly three times slower. Beautiful.

[@googleuser3163]

Flying fox? This is real life buddy

[@LateralTwitlerLT]

@@googleuser3163 Your handle does not check out

[@RWDOWNPOUR]

​@@googleuser3163it's the name of a bat species, basic knowledge

[@LieutenantSneer]

This is some groundbreaking stuff!! There's a reason birds evolved this method of flight, and I'm excited to see where it takes us in engineering

[@brdnmlna]

This really just reminds me how incredible nature is, birds maintain altitude so effortlessly

[@Raczoon]

Beautifully organic movements. I'd love to see this advance further, and become a product.

[@Mr88Andrew88]

Beautiful movements, it just needs to be a bit more organic and adaptive

[@oldfag_adventures]

why does everything have to be a product for you to buy?

[@zacknight9137]

So the creator can make money from his hard work and man hours? Lmao why do you have to be so salty, live and let live

[@oldfag_adventures]

@@zacknight9137 ppl like you are why the world is burning. forget it, just go about mindlessly consuming

[@gamdanyunizar7849]

@@oldfag_adventures chill out, commie

[@drunkskunk00]

wow, best design i've ever seen for an Ornithopter!

[@Dartheomus]

That is insanely impressive. Really nice work, and it looks amazing!

[@Nassault]

Incredibly engineered! Awesome work! Can't wait to see more of your updates on this and future builds :D

[@Nassault]

I also want to add, I saw this as a bird beyond 10 meters. With a final model, and some cosmetic feathers this would be one hell of a video!

[@dreamchasergarage690]

When I was a kid I loved reading Michael Moorcock's books and one of his best things were ornithopters the characters flew. Always thought they were impossible, never thought I would actually see one fly, and gracefully too. Very well done indeed my friend.

[@The-KP]

Likewise the ornithopters in Fresno Herbert's Dune series.

[@lambertlum1087]

@@The-KP I remember reading ornithopter from the Dune book as well. At that time, I was too young to understand most of the novel, but the one thing that I do remember was the ornithopter

[@reclusioo8588]

Bros last name is “Moorcocks” I couldn’t imagine growing up in school with that kinda last name 💀💀

[@bretthess6376]

Hawkmoon

[@gesundheit602]

Man, the Swords Trilogy was amazing when I read it as a young teenager back in the early 80s. Elric and Stormbringer 🙂

[@Digitalfiendscom]

Incredibly realistic wing motion and it flies quite well; the roll-maneuver demonstration is quite impressive!

[@a24-45]

Gorgeous megabat-like wing action, so real-life-like on the upstroke! love this machine.

[@LTV_inc]

This is some phenomenal stuff! Good luck and keep us updated. 😊

[@Unmannedair]

Definitely the highest quality project I've ever seen. And I've seen some pretty impressive stuff.

[@freehat2722]

That's amazing! Just need a hover mode on it. Reminiscent of bat wings. One step closer to ornithopter dragons. Then we can have our dragon wars.

[@starcsuraj7014]

Wow ....just wow .....never thought it would be possible and now it's even better

[@immrnoidall]

WOW, That is amazing.

[@heartsky]

Love to see this tech evolving and getting better, this is definitely a milestone.

[@StepDub]

Beautiful piece of engineering. Congratulations!

[@pariaheep]

WOWzie! This restores the "flapping wing" idea in full glory. Amazing!!

[@CainSeldon]

SICK, would love to see a closeup demonstrating it and how it functions

[@stephenphilpott6772]

I've seen a similar clip some time ago, it's mimicking a bird of prey such as a hawk. I remember writing in the comments how brilliant it was having all the flying characteristics of a hawk and how it could be used around airports.

[@HABLA_GUIRRRI]

that's incredible ---- just to consider the intricacy of the robotics, great work

[@vell0cet517]

Incredible. This is a remarkable feat of engineering that certainly required tremendous efforts across several fields to accomplish. I can't wait to see where this could lead in the future.

[@americanspirit8932]

It absolutely looks real, great job. I think many people if they were watching it would think that it's real

[@matthewallen3375]

I look forward to more of these. Possibly on covering the wing mechanism some

[@TheJt2010]

This is an awesome piece of engineering! I hope your able to keep improving on it!

[@MajorBorris]

Love your model, many have waited to see something like this for a long time.

[@RobHealey]

Brilliantly realistic. Watching the steep glide at the end shows that the model is quite heavy, perhaps that is just to test the wing morphing? If so, then a lighter version will be even better, can slow the frantic flapping down for level flight. Best ornithopter I've seen.

[@phrixos2826]

that, is, COOL! I have never seen such a realistic Ornithopter! The fact it can change diretcion like a bird is just awesome, Leonardo Da Vinci would be insanely jealous & facinated in equal measure!

[@paulhomsy2751]

Excellent reproduction of true flight ! Impressive how realistic this ornithopter is, very well done !

[@oystercatcher943]

That’s amazing! Looks and flies like a real bird. Never seen anything so capable in my life. Superb engineering

[@PlumbNutz]

I live in Hawaii and I observe large sea birds flying often. It's interesting to see how they fly upwind Without Really flapping their wings very much. I realized it's comparable to sailing upwind. You can sail a boat upwind directly into the wind at about a 45-degree angle into the wind. The birds seem to do the same thing except in a three-dimensional manner. Constantly adjusting their tack left right up down into the wind they can make progress without even flapping their wings. I would like to see someone make a model aircraft that can do this.

[@bschwand]

gliders can do that. When you ride a wave (it's called a wave) you are basically on a smooth elevator to the sky. You gently maneuveur in a zig-zag pattern to stay at the right place in the wave. Best feeling ever. Look it up. wave gliding.

[@erg0centric]

Also known as slope soaring, fairly common for RC gliders and half gliders.

[@paulg3336]

Even when a bird is stationary in a head wind as gulls often do ,it is effectively gliding against the wind. It is analogous to a satellite orbit which is also being a state of free fall without a decrease in altitude

[@Filli-e]

What they have accomplished in this video is already impressive. What you are asking would be another real challenge. It would require, more than a human control, a well trained AI and the right sets of sensors. I would like to see it too though!

[@bschwand]

@@Filli-e no need of an AI. You use a variometer and airspeed indicator. GPS gives you groundspeed. From that it is easy to determine when you reach a wave, then you match headwind speed tacking into the wind. Autonomous sailboats can do that ( hobbyists have done it) so it's possible for a glider too.

[@pyramidbuilder]

Incredible work!

[@nicholaskasper6468]

Wow! I’m blown away!! That is F**KING AWESOME!!!

[@john-ic5pz]

that's really impressive CGI! I'm JOKING. this is amazing.

[@user-dt8be4zq8z]

Wow! That's impressive. From my childhood, I remember some article about planes, that said that it's impossible to properly replicate bird flying method, thus we invented our own. Seems like we are heading towards that "impossible" direction pretty fast =)

[@Sashazur]

Whoever wrote that book was foolish to say that. Birds aren’t magic, they follow the laws of physics - and humans are smart!

[@aerbon]

birds greatest advantage is feathers. feathers allow air to flow down through the wing during the up motion, and in such a way that it creates a high pressure zone around the birds body, allowing it to take off from the ground. i've yet to see an ornithopter with working feathers or with the ability to take off like a bird instead of being thrown. not saying its not possible, just saying we still have lots to figure out.

[@akura2]

OMG…. That’s AMAZING!!!

[@adamess158]

Definitely nailed it. A trip through falconry videos makes it very evident. Great work.

[@geoffbridges3149]

Dont know why this is in my recommendations but thats the best morphing-coupled wingbeat pattern I've ever seen. Well done

[@spyrosspyrou5809]

I would call it a genius feat of engineering and a huge leap forward towards machines that can fly with the agility of birds. Absolutely amazing.

[@colehuston1333]

its called a drone

[@spyrosspyrou5809]

I am enlightened

[@pc_screen5478]

Racing drones can go 0-200 kph (0-120 mph) in 1 second, no bird can be as agile as a drone

[@spyrosspyrou5809]

@@pc_screen5478 Some planes can go 0-500mph in a few seconds but you should not confuse agility with speed.

[@pc_screen5478]

@@spyrosspyrou5809 change in velocity = agility, drones can change directions extremely quickly, the top speed itself is irrelevant

[@thereed4443]

This is going to drive the "birds aren't real" crowd crazy haha

[@mpeters220]

That is an incredible craft! Very impressive!

[@ericheine2414]

Congratulations that's really magnificent. I love Robo falcon.

[@jeffmorris5802]

Extremely cool. Would love to see energy efficiency data for this kind of flight.

[@Pman353]

It’s probably horrible😂

[@wparo]

Wtf would you want to see that?

[@jeffmorris5802]

@@wparo Because I'm an engineer? Because it's cool? Go be a lame troll somewhere else.

[@nameberry220]

did you find it?

[@NR-rv8rz]

Stunning. I'm curious what the flight time ratio is between a fixed wing electric propeller model and an ornithopter design? And what the future optimisation of the ornithopter design predicts for that ratio; which I'm guessing is currently in favour of a fixed wing propeller design in terms of efficiency.

[@calicodavis1511]

Absolutely amazing!

[@supertramp6011]

This is incredible! Well done, respect to the creator!👌

[@biomorphic]

Very impressive. It would be interesting to know how much energy it uses compared to a drone.

[@goku445]

depends which kind of drone. Quad motor drones are extremely inefficient for exemple while gliders are the opposite.

[@andrewfleenor7459]

The better comparison would be fixed wing plane of similar size. I can believe a drone sucks a lot more power, but it can also hover. This thing, on the other hand, can glide, saving power, which a quadcopter absolutely can't, but a regular plane can. But yeah, if it doesn't already kick a quadcopter's butt for power consumption, it would likely only take a little more engineering.

[@JulianMakes]

Amazing! It looks so perfect! Please can you discuss the mechanism and construction in detail? I’d be so interested!!!

[@SCARRIOR]

It's an AI video, hence no audio

[@johnnyrocket3200]

@@SCARRIOR Or recorded with a DJI, hence no audio

[@achen5269]

@@SCARRIOR lol

[@Ma-pz5kl]

you understood well the rolled inwards mouvement of the flapping wing. well done SIR !

[@10000Mistakes]

Excellent work. Seriously. I'm impressed.

[@deansmits006]

Great work. I wonder how efficient this is over more established flying designs (fixed wing and rotary aircraft)

[@tissuepaper9962]

Probably much less efficient than fixed wing, and comparable to or slightly better than rotary.

[@stoneageprogrammer432]

Okay. THAT is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life.

[@TachyonAnnihilator]

That looks amazing! That flap sequence is amazing! Is it mechanically based or software? And with a slight increase in wingspan or a decrease in weight... That would be... Wow, id pay to watch that, let alone buy one

[@tissuepaper9962]

Must be at least partially software because of the ability to tuck each wing on command for the rapid roll maneuver.

[@harryseldon362]

The possibilities seem endless!

[@Watcher40000]

That's some Boss Level engineering right there. Round of applause to you 👏 👏👏

[@awf6554]

Amazing! How does the energy consumption compare to rotor-type drones?

[@tissuepaper9962]

Probably uses less energy just because quadcopters are horribly inefficient by design, the tradeoff being that this ornithopter can't hover.

[@Togidubnus]

Tremendous stuff. The wing beats are indistinguishable from a real falcon. But the tail, though, seems to be an empennage from an aircraft, whereas the tail of a falcon, or indeed any other bird, is highly dynamic and flexible. The way I see it, on an actual bird the wings, tail and indeed legs (to change centre of gravity) all work in unison. Nevertheless this is a laudable effort, really impressive.

[@C_Franc2000]

Increíble, bella obra!

[@user-dr6pu7so5o]

It's your work! Wow! Fantastic realistic moves! Unbelievable! It's a real falcon!

[@ian_b]

This is simply amazing! I wonder how the energy consumption compares to an aeroplane?

[@ferrumignis]

Pretty high I would think.

[@A_Simple_Neurose]

For a commerical airliner-type application? Wouldn't really be a priority, the body being constantly in motion would mean hell for anything but the head area, which birds have notoriously stable. And even then, jets provide redundancy (if one goes out you've got spares). There's only two wings, if something goes wrong with one wing you're done. Planes can sometimes make it back with one wing only, what with the propulsion being provided by jets, so there's that too.

[@ian_b]

@@A_Simple_Neurose No, I was thinking about a comparably sized ("model" sized) aeroplane. I wouldn't want to fly on one either!

[@d4ro]

Incredible111!!1 can you post details of the mechanism?

[@achen5269]

thanks, you can find more information in the link in the description

[@d4ro]

​@@achen5269thank you for sharing this great work, a mechanism like this could also be used for a lifelike actuated pterosaur model

[@achen5269]

@@d4ro Yeah, flying vertebrates share a lot common features. And your pterosaur design is also amazing.

[@d4ro]

​@@achen5269 I think the common features in flight actuation of vertebrates is mostly determined by their size, tiny birds like colibris adapt more insect style flapping. theoretically insects could develop a different type of wings, but they dont because they would have to abandon first their reliance on "leading edge vortex" lift, and second their wing actuation is not fine-grained as wings actuated by walking extremities, but insect wings are in fact an extension of their exo sceleton .

[@achen5269]

@@d4ro yeah, that's ture

[@WARESPOWER]

Beautiful movements . I enjoyed watching.

[@SlightMalfunction]

This is just beautiful.

[@user-rm3ii9dp3z]

Genuinely impressive,

[@Michaelkaydee]

Most realistic I've seen yet... brilliant work

[@p.morgan4084]

Umbrellas have become amazing these days... No seriously that's amazing, splendid job!

[@nessa7256]

This is fantastic! It looks amazing.

[@migmigjohnson6083]

Most amazing improvement in flight technology I've ever seen. Up to now, all I had seen was mimicking. This is doing the actual thing.

[@Phazaar]

Holy shit this is the coolest thing I've seen in years. Wow.

[@davidgibbs9641]

I'm looking forward to seeing more from you

[@carlomaratta5636]

Amazing work, enjoyed watching, thank you.

[@angelsone-five7912]

That is amazing, I`m impressed.

[@Enregardant]

Thank you for the video. I hope to see more.

[@TheSupaLuna]

I never thought I'd see the day. Well done engineer.

[@xptodundee]

Omg. Fantastic, well done. I'm imagining the wing driver program!

[@footfault1941]

The wingstroke kinematics is a perfect mimic of live bird! Beauty is in there!

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

I remember buying a much smaller toy version similar to this back in the 90s. The kids loved it.

[@SirCommoner]

I'm so glad the inventor of the bird decided to document his process

[@clifficus]

Unbelievably good and realistic, thanks for sharing 👍😃

[@mcanada1960]

Yes that's impressive, nice work

[@1xm_mx1]

Truly a brilliant invention and engineering marvel. Nature is the highest inspiration!

[@drivingmusic4213]

Amazing engineering! Great work!

[@mastermalpass]

This is amazing! Just now went searching for RC Ornithopters to see if any progress has been made from the family basic continuous flapping models I saw years ago and your model is doing pretty much everything I would want one to do. Like others say; it moves like a real bird! With tucks and flares, glides and dives. Though I didn't see yours dive - I assume that's in respect of a strength limit - it looks like it easily could, should you want it to!

[@PolishGypski]

Amazing, I thought it was an actual eagle while watching the thumbnail. That thing is a game changer for waterfowl hunting. The problem is getting shy birds to land, but all it takes is one to set its wings and the rest will follow. You really have something here that would make you millions in the waterfowl hunting world.

[@JakobusVdL]

Wow, that's really impressive

[@ronaldmartino2610]

Brilliant. Poetry in full motion.

[@weirdsciencetv4999]

This is just godamned brilliant and amazing. Total show in if he wants a job at Festo