Robotic pigeon reveals how birds fly without a vertical tail fin
A flying robot uses its bird-like tail to maintain stability in flight – a technique that could enable more aerodynamic aircraft designs that use less fuel
By Matthew Sparkes
20 November 2024
PigeonBot II, a robot designed to mimic the flying techniques of birds
Eric Chang
The team’s previous model, built in 2020, flew by flapping its wings and changing their shape like a bird, but it still had a traditional aircraft tail. The latest design, which includes 52 real pigeon feathers, has been updated to include a bird-like tail – and test flights have been successful.
