Large-sized ornithopters achieve continuous flight through jump-assisted takeoff

Abstract Birds can take off by jumping, which has inspired research into enabling ornithopters to initiate continuous flight missions in outdoor environments. However, large-sized ornithopters typically require external assistance to achieve the necessary speed and altitude for sustained flight, limiting their ability to perform flight tasks independently. To overcome this limitation, we introduce an ornithopter equipped with a jumping mechanism that mimic the jump-assisted take-off behavior of birds, thereby achieving take-off without human intervention. After landing, the ornithopter can automatically reset and adjust its attitude in preparation for the next take-off. Using sensor data, the ornithopter monitors the status of each phase and takes appropriate actions promptly. We conduct experiments to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of this design. This work will enable ornithopters to execute flight missions, allowing them to fly freely and independently, similar to birds.