A Retrospective of Project Robo Raven: Developing New Capabilities for Enhancing the Performance of Flapping Wing...

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Aerospace Engineering
• Bio-inspired Design

Background:

• Flapping Wing Air Vehicles (FWAVs) offer advantages in hovering and maneuverability at low speeds.
• Previous FWAV designs faced limitations in wing control, payload capacity, and endurance.
• Single actuators limited control to flapping rate, while dual actuators increased weight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a retrospective overview of the Robo Raven FWAV family.
• To demonstrate advancements in independent wing control and its impact on maneuverability.
• To showcase the integration of energy autonomy and mixed-mode propulsion for enhanced capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Development of five successive Robo Raven FWAV designs.
• Implementation of dual servo actuators for independent wing control.
• Integration of multifunctional wings for solar energy harvesting and mixed-mode propulsion.

Main Results:

• Early designs achieved complex maneuvers like dives and button hook turns.
• Subsequent designs incorporated solar energy harvesting for extended endurance.
• Advanced versions demonstrated autonomous decision-making and increased payload capacity via mixed-mode propulsion.

Conclusions:

• The Robo Raven family successfully addressed challenges in control autonomy, energy autonomy, and maneuverability.
• Successive generations built upon previous findings, enhancing FWAV potential.
• Significant opportunities exist for future research in avian-scale flapping wing aerial vehicles.