BionicOpter dragonfly robot

 

FESTO demonstrates Bionicopter

The robot dragonfly measures 44 cm (17.3-inches) long from tip to tail. Its sturdy and lightweight housing and mechanical system are fashioned from aluminum, polyamide (sintered) and terpolymer (deep-drawn ABS), contributing to its overall weight of just 175 g.
 
The beast is controlled by an ARM microcontroller, which calculates all of the parameters relating to mechanical adjustment based on input from the onboard inertia, acceleration and position sensors, together with pilot input, then translates these into movement by actuating the servo motors.

The complex motion sequences (including flapping frequency of between 15 and 20 Hz, amplitude and installation angle) are handled by the model's software and electronics, leaving the operator only having to worry about the steering. The model is powered by two LiPo cells and can be remotely controlled using a smartphone or digital spectrum transmitter courtesy of the included 2.4 GHz wireless module.

The robot dragonfly can be remotely controlled using a smartphone

or digital spectrum transmitter courtesy of the included 2.4 GHz wireless module

 
By passing an electric current through the robot's four nitinol "muscles," the head can be moved from side to side, while the tail can go up and down. Indoor or outdoor flight stability is ensured by the real-time automatic correction of in-flight vibrations.

The bionicopter in action in the below video:

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