Currently, progress is undermined by the lack of financial resources from our university. We believe in this product so much that we decided to create an initial budget from our personal funds, in order to confront the expenses related to preliminary testing and prototype construction. With this small supplement we have been able to take steps beyond the conceptualization phase. However, no more progress is achievable without appropriate funding. This is why we invite the KickStarter community to contribute to our efforts in order to make this innovative, state-of-the-art project a reality. Funding will be necessary to progress by building the first prototype. For the purposes of financial transparency, below is a list of the main components we plan to purchase once we receive funding:

High-efficiency brushless DC electric motor Electronic Speed Control (ESC) Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery RPM sensor Optical sensor Radio Controller Low-weight, high-torque servos Weather-resistant skin coating made of Dacron High-definition camera equipped with stabilization systems and capable of live-feed High-quality, multidirectional carbon fiber rods Arduino ® Mega Microcontroller Polylactic acid (PLA) 3-D printed joints and gears

With the final design on the verge of finalization, team ICARUS is ready to build the first prototype. The video below represents the current project status. Keep in mind that many components are missing, due to financial shortcomings, therefore the video below is to be taken simply as a proof that the mechanism design actually works.

The ornithopter is not limited to a single application and has much versatility. Below is a list of the potential applications that the team has been able to come up with. Keep in mind that the list continues to grow in time as we more-fully realize the potential of this project.

• Agricultural Survey (quantity of produce, identification of tree diseases)

• Biological Survey (migration patterns, animal behavioral research)

• Security Patrols (espionage, investigation, perimeter surveillance)

• Atmospheric Data Collection 

• Remote Sensing 

• Recreation and Hobby

But the list is not really over. In fact, we believe that the finished product can be modified with the addition of components tailored to the specific application at hand making each ornithopter unique. The possible uses of this vehicle are truly boundless.

Optimized Wing design for Efficient-Flight

The wing design is the key to the high-efficiency embedded in the vehicle. Our wing is in fact composed of two parts, rather than one part as the conventional ornithopter designs. This decision has been reached after carefully studying the available literature on the topic, and is based on the vastly superior efficiency achievable through the dual-section design. Expert researchers have in fact concluded that by driving down and at the same time rotating forward the outermost section of the wing, a 50% efficiency increase is achievable over conventional one-piece wing designs. This, combined with an ultra-light weight structure, is a crucial parameter in achieving longer operational time. Below is a demonstration that has been put together by the team for a previous presentation. This shows the rotating motion of the outermost section of the wing described above. The actuation system is composed of a servo, driven by an Arduino microcontroller.

 The Dual-Mode flight is another key factor in achieving longer battery life. In fact, the user will be able to switch between flapping and gliding in order to save power when possible.

Some Key Distinctive Qualities

• Revolutionary mechanism combined with ultra-light design allows for a more energy-efficient flight

• Inherent stability allows for user-friendly flight experience

• Reduction in parts leads to a more cost-effective product with less component fatigue

• Green, zero emission, environmental friendly vehicle powered by quickly-rechargeable LiPo battery

• Camouflage capabilities thanks to a very natural wing-flapping motion and use of artificial plumage 

• Dual-Mode operation allows user to switch instantly from gliding to flapping flight

Technical Specifications

• Length: 0.9 m

• Wingspan: 1.5 m

• Weight: < 500g 

• Cruise Speed: ~10 m/s

• Battery Life: up to 20 minutes

Milestones 

The team has completed several fundamental tasks for the realization of the project. Computational testing, accompanied by real-life testing of components have allowed for a finalization of the main frame structure within the fuselage. Below is a video of testing executed with ANSYS, which shows the deformation that the frame structure will undergo when a total load of 20 kg is imposed on it. Even though the applied load is much higher than what the structure will ever experience during flight, the frame did not fail, which proved that our design is headed in the correct direction. Please note that the deformation in the video has been GREATLY EXXAGERATED for demonstration and visualization purposes.

The team has also manufactured a foam model in order to test the general stability, weight distribution and aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Many tests have been performed to identify the ideal weight distribution in order to achieve inherent stability, including passive correction to disturbances (such as wind gusts). Wind tunnel tests have been performed to determine the aerodynamic properties (lift, drag) of the aerodynamic surfaces – wings, tail, fuselage – which have provided us with useful insights on how to reduce profile and skin friction drag. The picture below shows the foam wing section of the ornithopter; the airfoil has been chosen in order to achieve the highest possible lift with minimal drag.

The video below shows what is perhaps the most important milestone so far: the first stable gliding flight. Achieving stability in gliding flight is crucial for obtaining a stable flapping flight.