Design and Development of a Bat-Inspired Micro UAV

The increase in frequency of disasters, both natural and man-made, has imposed a huge risk to human life due to the extreme environment surrounding the disaster affected areas. Hence, there is an immediate need to design unmanned vehicles that can assist the rescue team in surveillance and recovery

Project Title

Design and Development of a Bat-Inspired Micro UAV

Project Area of Specialization

Robotics

Project Summary

The increase in frequency of disasters, both natural and man-made, has imposed a huge risk to human life due to the extreme environment surrounding the disaster affected areas. Hence, there is an immediate need to design unmanned vehicles that can assist the rescue team in surveillance and recovery operations. This project will focus on the design of a bat inspired, Micro-unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MAV), that will assist in disaster management activities. Several mechanisms, including the watts six bar linkage and crank-shaft, will be installed which will allow this MAV to exhibit flapping, mediolateral and dorsoventral motions, thus allowing it to achieve all the key degrees of actuation, which significantly contribute to bat flight. The geometric and aerodynamic parameters, having similar values as for the biological bat, will be utilized in the design, which will make the machine highly efficient due to increase in lift and flight range. The structure of the MAV has been modelled on vaious simulation software, such as SolidWorks and MSC Adams. The analysis through the inverse dynamics approach has been completed and detailed kinematic analysis is in progress. After performing a detailed kinematic analysis, a mathematical model, for the optimization of aerodynamic parameters of the MAV, will be developed in order to obtain the synchronicity between the forelimb mechanisms. Moreover, piezo-electric transducers will be installed underneath the elastic wing membrane of the robot, which will continuously harvest energy during the flight, hence ensuring minimum energy conservation and maximum flight efficiency. As the machine follows bat morphology, this will make it highly maneuverable. Thus, allowing it to enter narrow and dangerous zones, and ensuring safety for the rescue team during disaster management.

Project Objectives

The aim of this project is to design and develop a bat-inspired MAV. The objectives to accomplish this aim are as follows:

• Conduct the feasibility study of bat-like MAV
• Design, analyze and simulate the MAV using modern computational tools
• Fabricate and assemble a prototype of the MAV
• Execute autonomous point-to-point flight of the MAV
• Test the MAV under various simulated conditions of disaster

Project Implementation Method

The project started with literature survey to understand the biology and morphology of a biological bat. The exisiting research conducted to determine the feasibility of a bat-shaped robot has been studied. The feasibility evaluation of such a robot has been completed.

In the next, an initial prototype has been designed and fabricated to conduct detailed analysis and mathematical modelling before fabrication of the final model. This model is being tested under various simulated disaster conditions and improved upon from the data collected during testing. The model will then be finalised before physical testing in the real environment.

Since the primary aim of this project is to assist rescue workers and disaster management authorities, the team has been coordinating with the authorities to estimate the initial demand of the MAV as well as the resources and knowledge they would require to support its implementation. In the next step, it is planned to provide training to successfully operate and troubleshoot the robot during emergencies before deploying them on the field to minimise risks and potential losses.

Finally, data will be gathered during initial training and testing of the MAV, final modifications would be made before handing over the MAVs to the disaster management authorites. Once these MAVs are deployed in the field, the team will monitor their performance for some time, address and fix problems that may arise immediately after its implementation.

Benefits of the Project

Due to increasing climatic changes, frequency of disasters has also increased. This consequently increases the risk to human lives, especially rescue workers. Often times, disaster affected areas exhibit extreme environments, such as fire outbreak, chemical leakage and nuclear radiation, where it is not feasible for a rescue worker to enter.

Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) such as conventional drones could be used in such situations but they have fixed dimensions and cannot move through tight spaces, contain sharp propellers that could be hazardous to people being rescued in case of malfunction and cannot be operated under extreme weather conditions. An MAV that can access tight spaces and exhibits agility and maneuverability will be much suited for this application.

Taking inspiration from nature has been the norm for numerous inventions. Although the complexity of motion and material properties may often be impossible to replicate, the approach itself significantly optimizes the design process. Owing to the bat’s complex wing motion, it can perform several agile maneuvers in small spaces with ease. Thus, it poses as an attractive source of inspiration for a potential aerial robot/vehicle.

Not only the robot will not be  able to performs complex maneuvers to enter tight spaces, it will also be able to fly autonomously. Vibrations generated from the flapping wing mechanism will be used to generate electricity which will in turn power the installed sensors. Thus, achieving a self-sustained flight.

The project can further be modified using latest technology available to make it more beneficial for the disaster management authorities.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Technical details of final deliverables for the project are as follows:

• Assembled model
• Autonomous point-to-point untethered flight
• Self sustained flight with ability to survive in the simulated disaster environment

The project will be deemed complete once a self-sustained, untethered point-to-point flight is achieved in simulated disaster conditions

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Others

Other Industries

Energy , Manufacturing , Health , Security , Telecommunication

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Artificial Intelligence(AI)

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action

Required Resources

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