This proposal details a multi-mode ornithoptic land/air vehicle (OI-002), readily adaptable to amphibious/submersible missions. The OI-002 will feature four articulated, multifunctional limbs used for flight and walking modes, a hierarchical control system, constructed from fiber reinforced plastics and powered by light weight power sources. The wing/limb span will be 12" and the fuselage/body will feature a 1 1/2" x 2" x 10" payload space, additional payload could be attached to the exterior. The proposed vehicle will utilize a unique patented limb drive mechanism that facilitates ready transformation between different mobility modes. As a flight vehicle the OI-002 will be more agile and quiet than either fixed wing or rotary wing technologies, and as either a flight or a land vehicle its platform attitude controllability will be extremely versatile, allowing for high precision direction control.
Benefits: We anticipate extensive benefits for both the military and civilian sectors. Our innovative vehicles will have wide appeal wherever there is a need or interest in small-scale surveillance vehicles that are agile, quiet, multi-modal and/or provide a highly stable platform. Potential markets include: 1) all branches of the military requiring adaptable surveillance/reconnaissance and general communications platforms, 2) commercial/civilian sectors including a) Departments of Homeland Security, police, fire, coast guard and all emergency services (surveillance of borders, nuclear reactors, powerlines, high rise structures, traffic flow, criminal activity), b) parks departments, amusement parks, sports stadiums, convention operations (surveillance of park activity, crowd management etc.) c) land management authorities, civil engineers, farmers, news media, real estate developers (surveillance of general topography, bridges, crops, dams, urban and rural terrain), d) recreational users (R/C modeling clubs etc.)
Keywords: Multi-mode mobility, Ornithopter, Flapping wings, UAV, MAV, Surveillance, Search & Rescue
