BionicSwift

Year

2022

The idea

The flock of robotic birds behaves like a collective body of autonomous swallows.

The objective

Thanks to their aerodynamics and an indoor navigation system, the agile and highly manoeuvrable BionicSwifts can fly in a stable formation.

Technical data

Wingspan: 68.0 cm
Overall length: 44.5 cm
Weight: 42 g
Drives: 1 brushless motor, 2 servo motors
Battery: lithium polymer HV, 4.35 V
Flight time: approx. 7 min
Feather material: lightweight foam
Body material: Depron
Gearbox material: 3D-printed nylon/polyamide
Wing rib material: pultruded round-profile CFRP
Radio boards: 2.4 GHz

Flight manoeuvres

The BionicSwifts’ torsos house the flapping-wing mechanism, the communication technology and the control components for the flapping wings and the pitch elevator. A brushless motor, two servo motors, a storage battery, the gear mechanism and various circuit boards for radio, control and localisation are installed within a very small space. The robotic birds are able to perform tight turns and loops.

Swarm behaviour

The autonomy of the BionicSwifts is ensured by a radio-based indoor navigation system with ultra-broadband technology: within the predefined flight area are several radio modules that localise each other as anchor points and monitor the airspace. Each member of the swarm is also fitted with a radio marker that transmits signals to the anchors.

Aerodynamics

The less weight that needs to be moved, the greater the energy efficiency. With a body length of 44.5 centimetres and a wingspan of 68 centimetres, a BionicSwift weighs only 42 grams. The wing structure of these bionic swallows is based on the plumage of birds. The individual lamellae consist of an ultralight, flexible but sturdy foam material; they are connected to quills of carbon and overlap like shingles.

Material

BionicSwift