Bionic Bird

  • Jordan Cole, iReviews
  • August 02,2022
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The Bionic Bird is an ultra-lightweight (9.3 g) furtive drone that is connected by Bluetooth and controlled by your smartphone. Designed by aeronautic engineer Edwin Van Ruymbeke, Bionic Bird was inspired by Edwin’s father Tim – who in 1969, created the Tim Bird, a small wing-flapping bird powered by a rubber band. In a 45-year span, 20 million of these wind-up flying birds were sold. You might remember these as a kid: it was simply a rubber band and a wooden bird.

 

The French start-up XTIM has now launched one of the most innovative drones on the market. After looking up the definition of furtive (a: “done by stealth: surreptitious) and learning the inspiration behind the drone’s design, calling the Bionic Bird the first furtive drone makes complete sense. XTIM’s use of micro-technology to engineer the drone’s bird-like aerodynamics is what makes this drone a success story. Using biomimetics that “takes advantage of the inventions found in nature,” Ruymbeke created a drone that can easily maneuver in your living room or fly within a 100-meter range outside.

 

The secret to the Bionic Bird’s eagle-like aerodynamic agility is its ultra-compact structure and propriety-patented speed reducer at the end of the motor. In other words, the Bionic Bird has a centrally aligned “spinal cord” and an adjustable tail that allows for soaring as well as precise turning in small spaces. What’s even more impressive: users can pilot the Bionic Bird with their smart phone. Just by tilting your iPhone or controlling the speed with your fingertip, the drone can easily dive bomb left or right with bird-like maneuverability. Activate the expert mode and you can fly the drone using classic radio-command controls.

 

The lightweight carbon fiber design allows for long-lasting soaring. You’re even able to cut the throttle and just admire the Bionic Bird gliding through the air. Becuase the bird is capable of flying indoors, you can imagine the interest level of a household cat when it sees a bird whipping through the living room. With a simple adjustment of the tail for maximum flight power, the Bionic Bird drone can reach speeds of up to 6.2 mph (20 km/hr) and a 10-minute flight time.

 

The Bionic Bird accessories are just as innovative as the drone itself. A portable egg that doubles as a designer perch powers the Bionic Bird. Capable of charging in twelve minutes, the power egg has enough power to recharge the Bionic Bird nearly 12 times. This portable power pack is discrete, yet carries more than enough power. The egg itself takes approximately one hour to fully charge.

 

With each prototype tested under rigorous conditions, Bionic Bird is designed to last through hundreds of flights. The lightweight drone has been engineered to survive impacts with the ground or objects such as, a nearby oak tree. Along with the portable rechargeable egg and the USB cord, each drone comes with two spare wings and a packet of aluminum weights to balance each side. If the wings are compromised during flight, you have a kit ready to mend the situation and get the bird back up in the air.

 

One of the greatest features of the Bionic Bird is its adjustable tail effect. You’re able to perform aerial tricks and adjust modes for indoor use. You can even play with energy saving techniques, like soaring, to maximize flight time.

 

Designed by an engineer passionate about technology, the Bionic Bird’s maneuverability is well beyond the capabilities of other drones. From its wing propulsion to the high-end radio control technology (2.4 GHz), Ruymbeke left no stone unturned when it comes to Bionic Bird. His design is the perfect balance between the worlds of nature and technology.

PROS
  • Bluetooth Smart Wireles Technology
  • Short Charging Time
  • Lightweight
  • Portable Charging Egg
  • 100 Meter Flight Radius
  • Dedicated App to Control Flight Patterns (Two Modes: Easy/Expert)
CONS
  • Only 10 minutes of flight time (on one charge)
  • Delicate Wings (comes with a set of replacement wings)
  • Bionic Bird can be attacked by other birds/cats/prey
BOTTOM LINE
Jordan Cole, iReviews

By Jordan Cole, iReviews

Jordan Cole is a USC Masters student from upstate New York. The Syracuse University Alumni has worked with publishing firms, marketing departments, and communications specialists across the country.