Robot 'Floaty' Mimics Birds, Flies Efficiently Without Propellers

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the University of Stuttgart have developed a novel flying robot, dubbed 'Floaty,' capable of both efficient flight and stable hovering without relying on propellers. Inspired by the way birds utilize wind currents and adjust their wings to stay airborne, Floaty employs four movable flaps on its upper surface to control airflow and air resistance.

In wind tunnel tests, Floaty demonstrated its ability to fly in air speeds up to 10 meters per second. By manipulating its adjustable flaps, the robot precisely controls how air interacts with its structure. This allows it to balance itself and counteract disturbances, such as sideways air pushes, without active propulsion or significant energy expenditure. The robot's control system relies on a learned aerodynamic model, enabling it to recover from physical pushes and wind variations.

Developing Floaty presented challenges in achieving natural stability and steerability. Initial designs with a flat shape tended to tip over. Researchers addressed this by lowering the robot's center of gravity and introducing a precise bend to its rigid flaps. These modifications resulted in a robot that is passively stable and can automatically correct its balance in mid-air.

This innovative approach offers a more energy-efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional propeller-driven drones. Potential applications include inspecting structures with strong updrafts, such as factory smokestacks, and could even inform technologies for controlling rockets during reentry or guiding weather balloons by intelligently leveraging upward airflows.