Introducing Tech

Jellyfish-like flying machine takes off

Mimicking sea creatures instead of insects leads to better hovering

TAKEOFF  A new flying robot that resembles a swimming jellyfish can keep itself stable.

L. Ristroph and S. Childress/J. Roy. Soc. Interface 2014

By Gabriel Popkin

- More than 2 years ago

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Hummingbirds do it, bees do it. But for tiny robots, hovering has proven a challenge.

Flapping-wing robots known as ornithopters can replicate insect wing motions, but these designs require complicated mechanisms to keep the machines stable.