Aeronautical engineer Edwin Van Ruymbeke has developed a remote-controlled insect ornithopter called MetaFly.
Capable of reaching a top speed of 18 km/h (11 mph) and a maximum range of 328 ft (100 m), the wings are flapped using a mechanical coreless motor and an aluminum heat sink that is powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery.
Weighing 10 g (0.35 oz), MetaFly measures 19 cm (7.5 in) long with a 29-cm (11.4 in) wingspan. The patented wings are made from carbon fibre, liquid crystal polymer and oriented polypropylene.
Designed to be able to glide and fly smoothly, MetaFly is also fitted with an adjustable tail to enable quick turns. The tail’s angle is shifted to toggle between fast and slow flight.
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