Folding drone wings bounce back from mid-air collisions

Scientists in the US have created a drone with flapping wings that can fold in and rebound to recover from mid-air crashes.

By studying and copying the wings of birds and bats, researchers from Stanford University created a mechanism that could allow future flying robots to squeeze between obstacles and to recover from impacts.

The wings are based on the abilities of birds and bats to fold in their wings close to their bodies.

In this slow-motion clip, you can see a demonstration of the flexible wings tucking in and rebounding when they are hit with a stick in mid-air.

Footage courtesy of Amanda Stowers and David Lentink