A flying robot modeled after a pigeon is unlocking the mysteries of bird flight, potentially leading to the development of more stable and efficient aircraft designs.

While birds seem to effortlessly keep their balance amidst turbulence, airplanes depend on rudders and vertical tails to avoid side-to-side swaying. Scientists have long speculated that birds maintain stability by instinctively adjusting their wings and tails, but it has been a considerable challenge to validate this theory with real birds in natural environments.

To address this challenge, researchers from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) created PigeonBot II, a robotic bird featuring morphing wings, pigeon-like wingtips, and 52 authentic pigeon feathers. Similar to its feathered relatives, PigeonBot II can take flight, spread its wings, and adjust its tail for balance and control.

Directed by Eric Chang, the research examined PigeonBot II in both indoor and outdoor settings. The results not only validate the longstanding theory regarding bird flight mechanics but also offer potential for inspiring the creation of more efficient, rudderless aircraft in the future.