‘PigeonBot’ could help scientists develop drones that mimic birds

Credit: Lentink Lab / Stanford University Scientists have designed a flying robot using real pigeon feathers, that can manoeuvre in the air as nimbly as a bird.

Scientists believe they are a step closer to building drones that can mimic the way birds fly, after designing a robot using real pigeon feathers.

Dubbed PigeonBot, the robot is able to manoeuvre in the air, dive down, and make sharp turns as nimbly as a bird.

Researchers from the University of Stanford in the US used 40 pigeon feathers to design the bot’s wings, which were connected to artificial limbs, consisting of “wrists” and “fingers”, using elastic bands.