AU Students Develop Bio-Inspired Ornithopter
Three Andhra University engineering students have developed a bio-inspired ornithopter that mimics bird flight, offering a quieter and more energy-efficient alternative to conventional drones.
Three students of Andhra University College of Engineering, working on a summer internship with Visakhapatnam-based startup Suraksha Pvt. Ltd., have developed a bio-inspired ornithopter — a flapping-wing aerial vehicle that mimics the flight of birds as an alternative to conventional drone technology.
The prototype, slightly smaller than a common crow, generates lift and thrust through the flapping motion of its wings, unlike conventional multi-rotor drones that rely on continuously rotating propellers.
According to the development team, the design requires power mainly during wing flapping, making it more energy-efficient while improving flight range and endurance. The ornithopter can fly at speeds of 8 to 12 kmph, produces significantly less noise than conventional drones, offers improved hovering stability and is easier to manoeuvre.
The project was developed by students Keerthi, Harshitha and Jaydev. It integrates aerodynamics, mechanical engineering, electronics and embedded systems to create an energy-efficient aerial platform with potential civilian and strategic applications.
The prototype features a lightweight bamboo airframe, a coreless DC motor, a crank mechanism, an electronic control system, a motor driver, and a wireless transmitter-receiver for controlled wing movement.
The project aims to advance research in bio-inspired flight while giving students hands-on experience in design, fabrication, mechanism development and system integration. It also exposes participants to interdisciplinary engineering by combining mechanical design, electronic control systems and aerodynamic principles.
The team said the technology could be used for environmental monitoring, wildlife observation, scientific research, engineering education, and future defence and strategic applications.
"The startup is working towards developing a standardised fabrication protocol for ornithopters to meet civilian, defence and strategic requirements," said Tapasvii, founder of Suraksha Pvt. Ltd.
She described the students' work as a significant research contribution and said the initiative was among the first of its kind in the region.
Keerthi said the project gave engineering students an opportunity to work on emerging technologies and thanked the startup for its guidance and support.
The project was carried out under the mentorship of Prof. Mallikarjuna Rao, with support from Dr Gautam, Project Officer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Andhra University.
