Pterodactyl-Inspired Robot To Master Air, Ground, And Sea

File image of a Pterosaur.

by Staff Writers
Lubbock TX (SPX) Oct 08, 2008
Paleontologist Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University, aeronautical engineer Rick Lind of the University of Florida, and their students Andy Gedeon and Brian Roberts have reached back in time 115 million years to one of the most successful flying creatures in Earth's history, the pterodactyl, to conjure a robotic spy plane with next-generation capabilities.

Mimicking the physical and biological characteristics of the Early Cretaceous Brazilian pterosaur Tapejara wellnhoferi -- skin, blood vessels, muscles, tendons, nerves, cranial plate, skeletal structure, and more -- the scientists are working to develop a Pterodrone -- an unmanned aerial vehicle that not only flies but also walks and sails just like the original.

"The next generation of airborne drones won't just be small and silent," says the multidisciplinary group, "they'll alter their wing shapes using morphing techniques to squeeze through confined spaces, dive between buildings, zoom under overpasses, land on apartment balconies, or sail along the coastline."

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Share This Article With Planet Earth

del.icio.us Digg Reddit

YahooMyWeb Google Facebook

Related Links
Geological Society of America
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology

UAV NEWS

Raytheon KillerBee Demonstrates Capabilities In Simulated Combat Environment

Yuma Proving Ground AZ (SPX) Oct 07, 2008
Raytheon's KillerBee unmanned aircraft system demonstrated its interoperability, integration and functionality as an end-to-end UAS combat system.

SUPERPOWERS Outside View: Seoul's Russian partnership Commentary: U.S. leadership challenged Analysis: NATO's troubled renaissance Military Matters: One war, two fronts	NUKEWARS Analysis: New nuclear research is the bomb Iran could spark Mideast nuclear arms race: British FM 'Displeased' China still engaged in Iran, NKorea nuclear talks: US Iran sends nuclear protest to EU foreign policy chief
MISSILE NEWS NKorea fires short-range missiles: Yonhap Boeing Receives Contract For Third Mach 6 Hypersonic Missile Test Russia, India To Develop New BrahMos Cruise Missile Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Missile Completes First Captive Carry Flight	MISSILE DEFENSE BMD Watch: BrahMos ALCM planned Russia Eyes New Customers For Iskander E Missile Swords and Shields: Iran's missile allies US missile defenses in Europe in US interest: Obama advisor
AEROSPACE Researchers Scientists Perform High Altitude Experiments Airbus expecting 'large' China order by early 2009: CEO Airbus globalises production with China plant Safer Skies For The Flying Public	UAV NEWS Pterodactyl-Inspired Robot To Master Air, Ground, And Sea Raytheon KillerBee Demonstrates Capabilities In Simulated Combat Environment AAI And Aeronautics Defense Systems Team To Provide Orbiter UAV Joint Unmanned Aircraft System Mission Crosses Atlantic
IRAQ WARS US Army releases manual on 'stability operations' Dogs of War: The last contractor US close to security deal with Iraq: Negroponte Pentagon announces troop rotations to reduce Iraq forces	MILTECH Army Orders EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radars US Army Facing Cost Crunch Part Three Israel army buys self-destruct cluster bombs: radio India, Russia To Develop Two Versions Of 5th-Generation Fighter

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement