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# video | What does the most realistic hummingbird robot look like?

When creating aircraft manymanufacturers are inspired by birds, and hummingbirds are of particular interest to them. Some groups of engineers have already managed to collect robotic copies of these small creatures, but all of them were rather large and less maneuverable than real birds. It seems that researchers from Purdue University have finally managed to do the most realistic hummingbird robot, which has the same size and weight, and also performs the same set of breathtaking stunts in the air.

First you should tell about the size of the robot: its wingspan is 17 centimeters, and its weight is 12 grams - everything is like that of real hummingbirds. With all this, he is able to lift a 27-gram weight, which is twice his own weight. The design of the robot is printed on a 3D printer, and the wings are made of carbon fiber and membranes, which oscillate at a frequency of 40 hertz.

To teach the robot to fly, engineers studiedthe air maneuvers of real hummingbirds, recreated them in algorithms and created a realistic computer model. Thus, he, like a hummingbird, is able to perform such air stunts as hovering and turning 180 degrees in just 0.2 seconds. Due to its compact size, the robot is able to fly in those places where other devices simply do not crawl through.

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It is noteworthy that the robot is practically"Blind" - he does not see objects, and builds a map of the surrounding space based on the data of infrared sensors. This can be useful in rescue operations in dark places, but the developers still intend to equip the robot with some kind of visual sensor.

However, before introducing these innovations, engineersshould increase its lift. After all, developers still have to add small batteries to the design - the current version is powered by an external source of energy and its movements are tied up with wires.

What are the ways of using such a robot? Share your answers in the comments, or in our Telegram-chat.