UMD Robot Bird Takes Maneuverability to New Level

First independently controllable wings make more realistic flight possible.COLLEGE PARK, Md.—In this age of advanced technology, how hard could it be to develop a robotic bird that flies by flapping its wings? Despite the apparent simplicity of the idea, it’s very hard—if you want the bird to actually fly. And how hard could it be to make a robot bird whose wings can flap independently of each other? So hard that it’s been a breakthrough that’s been out of reach for engineers—until now. University of Maryland Professors S. K. Gupta and Hugh Bruck and their students have developed and