FWMAVs

FWMAVs, or flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles, are a class of small unmanned aircraft that mimic the flight of insects. They typically weigh a few grams to a few tens of grams and achieve lift through vibration of lightweight wings driven by compact actuators.

Most designs use two or four wings that flap in a coordinated pattern. Actuation is achieved with piezoelectric or electromagnetic actuators, sometimes with small motors and linkages. Wing stiffness, span, and flexibility influence aerodynamics and stability. Flight control adjusts wingbeat frequency, stroke amplitude, and wing phase to maneuver, enabling hovering and agile maneuvers in tight spaces.

Key challenges include limited energy density of miniature power sources, short flight times, and the complexity of controlling unsteady aerodynamics. Structural durability, manufacturing repeatability, and sensor integration add hurdles. Developments in materials, perception, and computational control are helping to close the gap with larger UAVs.

Applications focus on indoor navigation, search and inspection in cluttered environments, environmental monitoring, and exploratory research in insect flight dynamics. FWMAVs are primarily used in laboratories and specialized demonstrations, rather than mass-market products.

Notable research projects include Delft University's DelFly and Harvard's RoboBee, which have demonstrated insect-scale flapping flight and basic maneuvering. The field continues to pursue longer flight times, robust control, and scalable manufacturing, with ongoing work in bio-inspired sensing, swarms, and energy-efficient actuation.