Mechanical masterminds have spawned the Bat Bot, a soaring, sweeping and diving robot that may eventually fly circles around other drones. The bat robot flaps its wings for better aerial manoeuvres, glides to save energy and dive bombs when needed. Eventually, the researchers hope to have it perch upside down like the real thing, but that will have to wait for the robot's sequel. The flexible flapping — as much as 10 times per second — acts "like a big power amplifier," Hutchinson said. It's already taken three years and cost $1.5 million, including a team of experts from Brown University who studied bat flight, Hutchinson said.

Source: CBC News February 01, 2017 21:40 UTC