Page 32 - Festo Smartbird

Seagulls react intuitively to change by means of sensory perception. With SmartBird, this task is assumed by on-board electronics. A microcontroller calculates the optimum setting of the servomotors to control the wing torsion, which in turn is synchronised with the stroke motion by means of sensors. In addition, the wing posi-tion and torsion can be monitored by radio, and the torsion can even be optimised in real time. SmartBird can easily adapt to new situations within a fraction of a second, with extremely high efficiency.

the torso to the wing tips; this movement is conveyed by a trapezoidal joint. At the same time, the wings twist upward during the up-stoke, whereby the correct angle of inclination is crucial. The extent and timing of the twist are controlled by a servomotor. The arm wing thus gen-erates lift, and the hand wing propulsion. This active arti-culated torsional drive is a feature unique to SmartBird that combines the two movements into a single function.

Intuition

Jonathan does not want to be bound by mediocrity. In his flying exploits, he discovers the loop, the slow roll about his own axis and the inverted spin. He practises his aerial acrobatics to perfection. Like a computer, he registers new impressions at lightning speed and imme-diately transforms them into new ideas.