Morphing Wing

Morphing wings, inspired by the adaptable flight surfaces of birds and bats, aim to create more agile and efficient aerial vehicles. Current research focuses on developing bio-inspired robotic platforms with varying degrees of wing articulation and control, often employing optimization-based control algorithms and fluid-structure interaction models to achieve complex maneuvers like banking turns and perching. These advancements are significant for improving the maneuverability and adaptability of micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs) in challenging environments, with applications ranging from search and rescue to environmental monitoring. The integration of lightweight sensors and actuators, along with passive mechanisms for wing deployment and retraction, are key challenges and areas of active investigation.