We all see birds every day. You can look outside your nearest window and you will spot birds of different kinds. Despite having the ability to see different kinds of birds daily, scientists have long struggled with replicating the looks and the flight mechanics that birds are naturally blessed with.
The bird robot
Creating and building a bird robot that flies with fixed wings is easy but making something that bends and flaps its wings like a real animal is surprisingly difficult. Now, a group of researchers and scientists has taken a massive step toward achieving that complicated goal with a new artificial avian aptly that they named PigeonBot.
The researchers described their work in a new paper published in Science Robotics. They said that they replicated the wings of a pigeon and they used real pigeon wings. They took an "if it is not broken, don't fix it" approach to constructing the PigeonBot.
They built wings that bend in two places, closely resembling the wings of actual pigeons. They carefully noted the angles at which real bird wings move during flight. Then, instead of trying to beat nature at its own game, they used real, actual pigeon feathers that were taken from deceased birds to fill in the wings.
The goal of this project was to make lifelike bird robots that scientists could send into the skies and to give researchers an easier way to study how the wings of a pigeon work to keep it aloft. That plan has worked well, as a second study using the robotic wings revealed one of the secrets of how pigeon wings move during flight.
The researchers explained in the study that the feathers of the pigeon have hooks that are latched on to the other feathers as the pigeon flaps its wings. These hooks are very small that you can't see them with the naked eye but they were revealed using microscope technology. The study was published in Science.
The benefits of robotics
The recent developments in the robotics world have made robots intelligent, user-friendly and affordable. With these benefits and uses of robotics, it is no wonder that they are now used in every field. Robots are used in the medical field and in industrial manufacturing.
The benefits of robots have increased the flexibility of humans to be able to perform numerous tasks. They are more precise on their tasks and more consistent than human workers. Robots also allow increased production and profit margins because they can complete tasks faster and better. Robots can work around the clock, 24/7 since they do not need vacation leaves, breaks or sick days. Robots also make fewer mistakes than humans, thus saving them time and resources of companies.
Another benefit of robotics is that they can work in any given environment, adding to their flexibility. Robots remove dangerous jobs for humans because they are capable of working in dangerous environments. They can handle lifting heavy loads, repetitive tasks and toxic substances. This has helped companies to prevent a lot of accidents, also saving time and money.
In the medical field, robots are used for intricate surgeries like prostate cancer surgery. Robots are able to reach and fit where human hands can't, allowing accuracy. The robotic benefits in the medical field are less invasive procedures and they provide less pain for the patient when they are recovering.
