the first solar-powered robotic raven takes flight

solar-powered robotic bird created by university of maryland
(above): the team of professors and students behind the solar power bird
all images courtesy of UMD robotics

a team of professors and students at the university of maryland have created the first robotic bird that that flies on batteries charged by on board solar cells. ‘robo raven III’ has sufficiently large, flexible solar paneled wings, which cover enough surface area to generate a usable amount of power and are also independently controllable. the flapping, micro air vehicle captures, converts and distributes the power it harnesses from the sun to the winged sheets, essentially ‘feeding’ itself during long missions and flights. the development and demonstration of the technology marks a breakthrough in the robotics filed, revealing the potential for solar powered micro air devices.

the video below shows ‘robo raven III’ demonstrating flight, using the power of the sun to mobilize itself through the air.

detail of the solar cell wing