The Robotics and Cybernetics Group from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain) presented a new micro-UAV. The drone uses an innovative system of artificial muscles made of materials that can contract and contract like the muscles of bats
We are talking about the BaTboT drone, the "Flying Robot". It is reported that the miniature device, the shape of the wings of which can be changed directly in flight, is able to very effectively maneuver at low speeds, which will allow it to fly in a confined space or among numerous obstacles.
The wings of bats (the only mammals capable of flight) are composed of more than two dozen independent articulations and one thin, flexible membrane stretched over the skeletal system of the wing. The amazing maneuverability of animals is the result of a combination of the flapping of their wings and the simultaneous contractions and stretches of the same wings in flight. A wing with such a variable geometry has been perfected by evolution over millions of years, and the attempt to reproduce it in a short time has become a real challenge for scientists. They accepted it and the result was BaTboT.
The wingspan of this micro-UAV is 50 cm, which is explained by the desire to "match the natural prototype." The prototype was the flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), one of the largest bats in the world. The weight of the micro-UAV was minimized to achieve maximum flight time on the built-in lithium-polymer battery.
To reproduce the work of the muscular system of an animal, the researchers had to turn to a relatively difficult problem: instead of ordinary motors, it was necessary to simulate the action of the muscles of living beings. The “muscles” of the BaTboT are made up of tiny fibers “woven” from shape memory alloys; they work in the manner of the biceps and triceps, which contract the articulations of a bat's wing. Each of the BaTboT "muscles" weighs less than 1 g, and the total mass of the micro-UAV, which developers prefer to call a flying robot, is 125 g (including batteries, on-board electronics and propulsion systems). The "skeleton" pulls 34 g. The total thrust of the flyer's wing is 12.2 g / cm, the flapping time is 300 ms, the swing of the wing during flapping is about 4 mm. The current driving the "muscles" has a force of 285 mA and a voltage of 3-5 V.
Data on the biological details of the flight of bats were obtained by Spanish researchers from colleagues at Brown University in Providence (USA). In the near future, in addition to a simple flight in a straight line, the authors intend to switch to flights with intensive maneuvering, which will allow the control systems, navigation and sensors to be improved. The purpose of such a modification is called the achievement of the ability for autonomous actions, during which the microdron can collect information. As possible applications, scientists mention biological research to study bats in their natural habitat, as well as tracking pests.
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There is hardly any doubt that the ability to gather information and highly maneuverable indoor flight will not be of interest to the military. Recall: even during World War II, the US Air Force worked on a project to bomb Japanese cities with bats dropped in self-unpacking containers, and each mouse had a knapsack with a 17-gram incendiary bomb. Test flights were so successful that the test base itself almost burned down …
The final publication on the first stage of the project should take place this year.