The life-sized, robotic butterfly in the video below has proven an aerodynamic principle that could have big implications in the field.
Scientists Hiroto Tanaka of Harvard University and Isao Shimoyama of the University of Tokyo, Japan, mimicked the flight of swallowtail butterflies, which have forewings that overlap their rear wings. As a result they flap their wings less than other butterflies, and until now, biologists thoughts that perhaps a swallowtail's body motions were reactions to the flapping motion instead of intentional motions designed to control motion. There's a quick write up on Gizmag here.
By building a mechanical butterfly the same size and shape of a swallowtail, the researchers found that the butterfly is able to use its body motions to control flight aerodynamics.
Image: iStockPhoto
Tags: Animals, Biomimetics, Engineering, Flying Robots
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