Modeling and Control of a Dragonfly-like Micro Aerial Vehicle

The purpose of this research is to model and control a dragonflylike flapping wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV). It is well known that micro aerial vehicle (MAV) designs can be classified as fixed wing, rotary wing and flapping wing. Fixed wing MAV is capable of fast forward flight, which is suitable for flying outdoor. Rotary wing MAV is suitable for movement at low speed. Recently, flapping wing MAV has drawn a great deal of attention owing to its biomimetic characteristics, for instance the high energy efficiency during flight, flexibility in maneuverability, agility at low speed, low actuation noise, etc., which yield various potential applications, specifically for flying in a complex environment, including indoor reconnaissance and surveillance, exploration in woods, or in dull-dirty-dangerous environments. The flight of flapping wing MAV, such as bird-like robot and insect-like robot, is more complex than flight with fixed or rotary wing, because the beating motion of flapping wings is the only means that can counter the gravity force and propel themselves against aerodynamic drag.