TU Delft researchers develop SquirrelDrone inspired by flying squirrel whole-body morphing
By
Team IO+
Plain bagel done well. Pleasantly substantive.
Summary
Scientists at Delft University of Technology have developed a bio-inspired drone called the SquirrelDrone, modeled after the flying squirrel's ability to reshape its entire body during flight. Unlike birds that rely on feathered wings, flying squirrels use whole-body morphing—stretching limbs, deforming membranes, bending spines, and using tails for airflow control. The SquirrelDrone is the first robot to demonstrate how these biological principles can give drones extraordinary agility, stability, and maneuverability.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledGliding silently through dense forests at night, flying squirrels perform some of the most agile aerial maneuvers found in nature.
Unlike birds, which rely primarily on their feathered wings, gliding mammals reshape their entire bodies during flight: stretching their limbs, deforming their soft membranes (patagia), bending their spines, and actively using their tails to control airflow.
With the bio-inspired design, we could learn from nature to give future drones extraordinary agility, stability, and maneuverability.
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