Flapping wing vehicles (FWVs) has unique flight characteristics and the successful flight of such a vehicle depends upon efficient design of flapping mechanism while keeping the minimal weight of the structure. This book discusses design and kinematic analysis of various flapping wing mechanisms, measurement of flap angle/flapping frequency, computational fluid dynamic analysis of motion characteristics including manufacturing techniques. It also includes wind tunnel experiments, high speed photographical analysis of aerodynamic performance, soap film visualization of 3D down washing, studies on the effect of wing rotation and figure-8 motion characteristics and so forth.

• Covers all the aspects of a flapping-wing vehicles needed to design one and understand how/why it flies.








• Explains related engineering practice including fabrication, materials, and manufacturing.








• Includes CFD analysis of 3D wing profile.








• Discusses image-based control of group of Ornithopters.








• Explores indigenous PCB design for achieving altitude and attitude control.

This book is aimed at Researchers and Graduate students in Mechatronics, Materials, Aerodynamics, Robotics, Biomimetics, vehicle design, MAV/UAV.