Mimicking Nature’s Insects: A Review of Bio-inspired Flapping-Wing Micro Robots (FWMRs)

Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) have flexibility and maneuverability, which can offer vast potential for applications in both civilian and military domains. Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs, Flapping Wing Micro Robots (FWMRs) have garnered widespread attention among scientists due to their superior miniaturized aerodynamic theory, reduced noise, and enhanced resistance to disturbances in complex and diverse environments. Flying insects, it not only has remarkable flapping flight ability (wings), but also takeoff and landing habitat ability (legs). If the various functions of flying insects can be imitated, efficient biomimetic FWMRs can be produced. This paper provides a review of the flight kinematics, aerodynamics, and wing structural parameters of insects. Then, the traditional wings and folding wings of insect-inspired FWMRs were compared. The research progress in takeoff and landing of FWMRs was also summarized, and the future developments and challenges for insect-inspired FWMRs were discussed.