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Pterodactyl-Inspired Robot To Master Air, Ground, And Sea
Lubbock TX (SPX) Oct 08, 2008 Paleontologist Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University, aeronautical engineer Rick Lind of the University of Florida, and their students Andy Gedeon and Brian Roberts have reached back in time 115 million years to one of the most successful flying creatures in Earth's history, the pterodactyl, to conjure a robotic spy plane with next-generation capabilities. Mimicking the physical and biological characteristics of the Early Cretaceous Brazilian pterosaur Tapejara wellnhoferi -- skin, blood vessels, muscles, tendons, nerves, cranial plate, skeletal structure, and more -- the scientists are working to develop a Pterodrone -- an unmanned aerial vehicle that not only flies but also walks and sails just like the original. "The next generation of airborne drones won't just be small and silent," says the multidisciplinary group, "they'll alter their wing shapes using morphing techniques to squeeze through confined spaces, dive between buildings, zoom under overpasses, land on apartment balconies, or sail along the coastline." Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Geological Society of America UAV News - Suppliers and Technology
Raytheon KillerBee Demonstrates Capabilities In Simulated Combat Environment
Yuma Proving Ground AZ (SPX) Oct 07, 2008Raytheon's KillerBee unmanned aircraft system demonstrated its interoperability, integration and functionality as an end-to-end UAS combat system. |
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