Gliding Performance of an Insect-Inspired Flapping-Wing Robot

Flying animals such as insects and birds use wing flapping for flight, occasionally pausing wing motion and transitioning into gliding to conserve energy for propulsion and achieve high flying efficiency. In this study, we have investigated the gliding performance of a gliding model based on a flapping-wing robot developed in a previous study, with the aim of developing a highly efficient flying robot that utilizes bio-inspired intermittent flight. Wind tunnel experiments with a gliding model have shown that the attitude of the wings has a strong influence on gliding performance and that a tail is effective in improving gliding performance. The results of this study provide important insights into the development of flying robots that can travel long distances with high efficiency.