Design of Innovative Flapping Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

Highly-maneuverable and low-noise MAV for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions

The primary focus of this MAV design is on its suitability for executing ISR missions. The majority of MAVs on the market are toys. This MAV features enhanced controllability and flight performance than toy MAVs. Inspired by the motions of hummingbird, its flying mechanism prolongs the time that it hovers in mid-air. The specially designed structure reduces the MAV’s weight. The whole device, including the video camera, only weighs 13.5 g. Its video output can be transmitted to and shown live in the ground control station. MAVs are highly maneuverable and operate at a low noise level. They can be used to replace humans in executing risky ISR missions.

Special Features and Advantages

A CMOS camera is installed at the front of MAV for real time video recording

The MAV is highly maneuverable and stable

The MAV can be 2- or 4-winged, depending on the requirements of the application

The MAV is as light as around 10-20 g
The MAV is agile and easy to control

The flight mechanism is based on the aerodynamics of flapping wings, so that the MAV can fly with low noise

Applications

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in battlefield

Searching for survivors of natural disasters

Chemical/nuclear plant monitoring

Recreational applications

Principal Investigator

Prof. Chih-Yung WEN
Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Design of Innovative Flapping Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

Highly-maneuverable and low-noise MAV for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions