A lot of drone technology and robotics have been inspired by things in nature. The latest issue of the scientific journal Bioinspiration & Biomemetics includes 14 studies that explore drone designs based on the functionalities of different flying creatures.

A lot of drone technology and robotics have been inspired by things in nature.

The latest issue of the scientific journal Bioinspiration & Biomemetics from IOPscience includes 14 studies that analyze the movements of animals, and also explore drone designs based on the functionalities of different flying creatures.

Dr. David Lentink, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University and guest editor for this issue is quoted as saying: “Each of the 14 papers presented in this special issue offer a unique perspective on bio-mimetic flight, providing insights and solutions to the take-off, obstacle avoidance, in-flight grasping, swarming, and landing capabilities that urban drones need to succeed.”

Parts of animals that were used as inspiration for some of the designs include the talons of a raptor for picking up objects, and a mechanical bat wing that can fold instead of breaking on impact, while also being flexible enough to fly in different airflow conditions.


Another used the way birds flock together to create a system for drones to fly together.

The different drone technologies could have a variety of important uses in the future like search and rescue missions, and military surveillance.