Watch: Scientists develop bird-like drone with feathers

Scientists have developed a new bird-like drone equipped with feathers which is capable of changing its wingspan, flying at high speed and moving through tight spaces.

Birds alter the configuration of their wings, when they need to change direction, increase their speed or counter headwinds.

To steer, they spread one wing and slightly retract the other. By adjusting their wingspan in this way, they create a calculated imbalance that causes them to turn.

After observing birds in flight, researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland built an energy-efficient winged drone capable of changing its wingspan, flying at high speed and moving through tight spaces.

"We were inspired by birds: they can radically transform the size and shape of their wings because they have an articulated skeleton that is controlled by muscles and covered in feathers that overlap when the wings are folded," said Matteo di Luca from Brown University in the US.

The drone also has feathers that it can fold and overlap like a fan.

One of the many challenges was in designing and building the complex morphing mechanism, in other words, mimicking nature to construct the drone.

"It is extremely difficult to find the right balance between aerodynamic efficiency and the weight of the device," said Stefano Mintchev from EPFL.

The wing is composed mainly of composite materials in order to maximise strength while reducing overall weight.

Morphing wings that can adapt to the environment and weather conditions are also an important issue in aeronautics.

Engineers are still trying to find the ideal replacement for the rigid wings and ailerons of planes.

"With the foldable wings, we discovered that we didn't need ailerons to help the drone turn. By changing the wingspan and surface area during flight, we could make it turn automatically," said Dario Floreano from EPFL.

This winged drone, therefore, opens up new possibilities.

Due to its ability to adapt, it may prove very efficient at low altitude, in an urban environment where winds change rapidly.

Researchers wanted to develop a bio-inspired drone that could meet various aerodynamic requirements.

It had to be capable of flying between obstacles, making sharp turns and coping with strong winds. By changing its geometry mid-flight, the drone can meet all these criteria.

The moving part is located on the outer wings. It works like a bird's quill feathers, which are the large feathers at the edge of the wing.

The research was published in the Royal Society journal Interface Focus.

Watch the bird-like drone in the video below: