A research team from Beihang University recently published a review paper titled “Passive mechanisms in flying insects and applications in bio-inspired flapping-wing micro air vehicles” in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The paper systematically reviews the research progress of passive mechanisms in insect flight systems, explains how biomimetic principles inspire engineering design, and presents key mysteries in insect flight mechanics, providing important ideas for the development of a new generation of micro flying robots.
Link:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/epdf/10.1098/rspb.2025.1015
Hangzhou International Innovation Institute (H3I) of Beihang University is the first affiliation, with Hao Jinjing, a post-doctoral researcher from H3I, as the first author; Associate Professor Zhang Yanlai and doctoral student Cheng Cheng from Beihang University as co-authors; and Professor Wu Jianghao from Beihang University as the corresponding author.
Insects are the oldest flying creatures on Earth, with an evolutionary history of 300 million years. Their exceptional flying abilities are astonishing. However, the brain resources of insects are extremely limited. More than 60% of these resources are used to process visual information, leaving very limited “computing power” for flight control. How do insects achieve efficient and robust flight despite their limited neural resources? The answer lies in passive mechanisms. These mechanisms originate from inherent biomechanical properties and can function automatically without the need for brain commands. They are important factors for efficient insect flight.
Figure 1: Coenagrion lunulatum
Insects generate lift to support flight through wing movements. The wings on both sides of the body are mechanically linked through a special structure inside the chest cavity to maintain synchronization and coordination of movements. Meanwhile, due to their own material flexibility and wrinkled structure, the wings spontaneously deform by interacting with the surrounding air during movements. This helps to enhance lift and improve energy utilization efficiency. When encountering airflow disturbances, aerodynamic damping is generated along with body rotation, helping insects cope with the challenge of flight stability. Passive mechanisms and active control complement each other, jointly shaping the extraordinary flying ability of insects.
Figure 2: Diagram of insect flight muscles and wing movements
Figure 3: Diagram of insect wing deformation
The excellent flying ability of insects has driven the development of flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles. By imitating and modifying the principles of biological flight, researchers have successfully developed multiple prototypes, achieving flapping-wing flight from the milligram level to the gram level. Scientists hope to further draw inspiration from insect flight to create a new generation of micro flying robots.
Researchers believe that further decoding the hidden passive mechanisms in insect flight will be a key pathway for artificial flapping-wing aircraft to overcome bottlenecks in stability, maneuverability, and energy efficiency. Related research can not only decipher the evolutionary secrets of insect flight, but also revolutionize the design of flapping-wing micro air vehicles.
Figure 4: Diagram of dynamic stability and flight control
Figure 5: Applications of insect-inspired passive mechanisms in flapping-wing micro air vehicles
Approved by Dong Zhuoning, Zhang Wei, Xu Ran
Edited by Yuan Xiaohui
