Man has been able to achieve flight for over a century, but we have never truly mastered the art and science that propels birds and other flying animals through the skies. The team at Festo has brought us one step closer with the “SmartBird,” an ultralight flying robot that achieves and maintains flight on its own power without assistance from other devices. Here are the specs and designs that make it fly:
  • Wingspan: 6.4 ft
  • Weight: 15.87 oz
  • Wings: Include a lever mechanism increasing the degree of deflection
  • Directional Control: Achieved through opposing movement of the head and torso
  • Tail: Produces lift and functions as both a pitch elevator and yaw rudder
  • Torso: Houses the battery, engine and transmission, the crank transmission and control and regulation electronics
  • Communication: A two-way ZigBee protocol radio