Butterflies are teaching scientists important lessons that could be used in designing flying robots.
The military wants to be able to use bug-size robots to fly into areas without risking human lives. They call their robots MAVs, short for micro air vehicles.
(Robert J. Wood and Pratheev Sreethara/Harvard University) - Butterfly research is being used in the development of micro air vehicles such as this one.
The problem is that the robots don’t do as good a job of flying in tight spaces with changing wind conditions as do butterflies.
“Flying insects are capable of performing a dazzling variety of flight maneuvers,” said Tiras Lin, a Johns Hopkins University student who is doing some of the research. “In designing MAVs, we can learn a lot from flying insects.”
Because butterflies move their wings far too quickly for the human eye to detect all the movements, Lin and other researchers have come up with a special camera that takes 3,000 images per second. (Your family’s video camera takes no more than 60 images a second!) Other universities are at work developing their own tiny fliers.
SuperFan Badge
SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
Culture Connoisseur Badge
Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
Fact Checker Badge
Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
Washingtologist Badge
Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
Post Writer Badge
This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum Badge
Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
Weather Watcher Badge
Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
World Watcher Badge
World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
Post Contributor Badge
This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.
Post Recommended
Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
You must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Post Newsletters & Alerts
Sign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox.
Get paid for your H I P I M P L A N T troubles.>>More ways to get us
Loading...
Comments