Sep 232011
 

Aeronautical, mechanical and computer engineers are justifiably proud of UAV’s. But even the most refined and advanced flying robot is a clunky piece of junk compared to the birds. Of course, birds have the advantage of being the end results of a billion years of evolution, but they are still capable of vastly more precise control than the best UAV. When a UAV can autonomously land on a stick like this owl, *then* the birds will have some competition.

[youtube x88rORdcA60]

 Posted by at 6:08 am

  5 Responses to “The last thing a mouse sees”

  1. I still say they are the work of the Great Artist… (~__^)

    • Even though Leonardo da Vinci would smile at your compliment, I’m sure he’d admit not even his greatest works could come close to what nature has provided.

  2. UAV’s are a incredible piece of technology considering that it’s been less than 120 years since planes started flying.

    They are starting to work on airplane that can flap their wings — still “primitive” technology, but awesome at the same time. Give it another hundred years, then we’ll have airplanes flapping their wings. Evolution takes a long time but comes up with some great and interesting solutions.

  3. I remember the kites I saw in a bird sanctuary in India. Bizarre critters indeed; they hover by twirling their wings like paddle wheels, spot a mouse, and dive. It was impossible to watch them without imagining some sort of autonomous death robot over a battlefield.

  4. Nice soundtrack.

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