A team of scientists has unveiled RoboFalcon2.0, a falcon-inspired flying robot that mimics how real birds take off with a “flap sweep fold” motion. Instead of relying on fixed propellers or rotors, the robot flaps, sweeps, and folds its wings in coordinated rhythm to generate lift, pitch up, and launch itself from the ground like its avian counterparts.
What’s Unique About RoboFalcon2.0?
Unlike many earlier flying robots that require external launch systems, RoboFalcon2.0 achieved self-powered takeoff in real-world tests. In these trials, it leaned forward on its support legs, rapidly flapped its wings, then transitioned into forward flight.
Its wing system is reconfigurable, combining mechanically decoupled joints with a lightweight frame. It can sweep its wings forward by up to 25 degrees to manipulate aerodynamic forces, increasing lift and shifting the pressure center forward for stable pitch during takeoff.
The robot weighs about 800 grams and has a wingspan of 1.2 meters, dimensions light enough to capture small bird dynamics, yet sturdy enough for controlled experiments. Here are the rest of the metrics:
| Parameter | Value |
| Total weight | 800 g |
| Wingspan | 1.2 m |
| Wing loading | 3.64 kg/m2 |
| Flapping amplitude | 85° |
| Maximum flapping frequency | 7.5 Hz |
Design & Performance Insights
Wind tunnel experiments showed that sweeping the wings forward improves lift and helps the robot pitch up earlier. Simulations confirmed that this increases aerodynamic forces via a vortex at the leading edge of the wing and improves stability in slow flight.
In field tests, RoboFalcon2.0 performed admirably in low-speed flight. But as speed increased, it struggled with pitch stability. The absence of a tail elevator means the robot has less control in faster flight, which is one of the design challenges researchers plan to tackle in future versions.
The findings of the study have been published in the journal Science Advances[1].
References
- ^ Science Advances (www.science.org)