Festo SmartBird – Flies and Looks Like the Real Thing

I was gobsmacked when I saw the tiny robotic Hummingbird but there is something truly amazing about the SmartBird.

Festo’s Bionic Learning Network are renowned for their animal-inspired bots but their SmartBird actually moves and flies like the real thing.

The autonomous bionic bird is modelled on a Herring Gull and, thanks to its highly sophisticated 2 metre wings, flexing body and moving head it’s as graceful and almost as natural as the Larus it was based.

Even more impressive is that the SmartBird can take off and land by itself as well as being controlled and monitored from a distance using ZigBee radio.

Just check out the videos below and tell me that the SmartBird isn’t one of the best, most natural looking robots that you’ve seen in a long while.

Here’s all the working out