Maple Seed Inspired Drone Takes Flight #Biomimicry
It’s easy to see how the whimsical spiraling journey a maple leaf takes when it falls from it’s branch inspired this drone’s design. via treehugger
DARPA’s maple seed-inspired drone has taken flight, and can be remote controlled to fly around the room, even do vertical take-offs, while spinning just like a maple seed. The trick to the maple seed is that it’s one (or two) “wings” help it to whirl in the air as it falls, giving the breeze a chance to pick it up and carry it away from the tree. That kind of whirling action is what DARPA was after for a new drone that could be used for collecting military intelligence.
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