eMotion­Butterflies

Year

2015

The idea

The collectively acting swarm of robots moves through the air like natural butterflies.

The objective

The ultralight eMotionButterflies use indoor GPS to perform safe, stable flight manoeuvres with maximum autonomy.

Technical data

• Wingspan: 50 cm
• Weight: 32 g
• Flapping frequency: approx. 1-2 Hz
• Flight speed: 1-2.5 m/s
• Flight time: 3-4 min
• Charging time: 15 min

Control

On a central computer, preprogrammed flight paths are stored that precisely define the butterflies’ manoeuvres. They can also use additionally stored behaviour patterns to move autonomously through space. The onboard electronics provide the necessary control signals.

Structure

The laser-sintered torso of the eMotionButterflies houses the electronic components, a battery and two servo motors, to which the roots of the front and rear wings are attached. The amplitude, speed and turning points of the individual wing beats are adjusted here.

Communication

An indoor GPS system with ten infrared cameras localises the individual eMotionButterflies on the basis of flashing infrared markers; 160 measurements are made per second for each of the flying objects. The positional data is conveyed to a coordinating computer, which updates the flight paths and calculates avoidance strategies in the event of an imminent collision. Each butterfly receives the data relevant to it by radio in real time.

Material

eMotionButterflies