Festo BionicOpter

Not for sale

Not for sale (research)Not programmableRobotic dragonfly4 independent wingsHover + glide

Not for saleShipping: Not for sale.

Remote control: Not possible. A Festo demonstrator with no public interface.

LEARN MORE (Festo) ↗

Overview

Shown by Festo in 2013, BionicOpter reproduces dragonfly flight with four wings whose frequency, amplitude and twist are each adjusted in flight, letting it hover, fly in any direction and glide. The on-board controller handles the stabilization so a pilot only steers. Like the rest of Festo's Bionic Learning Network projects, it served as a technology showcase rather than a product.

Type: Flapping-wing robot · Flapping-wing robots
Maker: Festo Bionic Learning Network (Germany)
Released: 2013
Price: Not for sale
Status: Not for sale (research)
Best for: Professionals & labs
Programming: No programmability

Price and shipping

Research demonstrator. Never offered for sale.

Shipping: Not for sale. Never sold.

Specifications

Category	Flapping-wing fliers · Flapping-wing robots
Released	2013
Country	Germany
Availability	Not for sale (research)
Programmability	No programmability
Built-in autonomy	None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions
LLM support	None · No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.
Best for	Professionals & labs
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	Mixed
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller
Remote control	Not programmable
Size	44 cm body, 63 cm wingspan, 175 g
Locomotion	Four independently controlled flapping wings (15–20 Hz), 13 degrees of freedom, brushless motor plus 8 servos
Compute	ARM microcontroller (on board)
Camera	None
Sensors	Inertial, acceleration and attitude sensors
Runtime	Not published (2-cell 7.6 V LiPo, 23 W)
Speed	Not published
SDK	None public, flown by smartphone or a Spektrum-type RC transmitter