Birds Of Prey Inspire Next Generation Of Sustainable Drones

According to BBC News, engineers at the University of Surrey are taking inspiration from owls and raptors to design a new kind of drone that mimics the way birds of prey perch and glide.

The project, called Learning2Fly, uses real-world flight experiments instead of relying only on computer simulations, with data being fed into machine learning models to help drones adapt to complex environments like cities with tall buildings and shifting wind.

Dr. Olaf Marxen, a lead researcher on the project, explained that the goal is to create drones that are more agile and better suited for urban use.

By copying the flight techniques of birds, the researchers hope these drones can navigate tight spaces, perch safely, and consume less energy compared to traditional models.

That could have big benefits for the environment, since most drones today require a lot of power to hover and maneuver inefficiently.

What’s striking is how a breakthrough in advanced technology is once again being guided by nature. Birds of prey have evolved over millions of years to fly silently, conserve energy, and adapt to unpredictable weather conditions.

Copying these abilities could help scientists create drones with a much lighter footprint on the planet.

If drones can become less power-hungry and more efficient, they could eventually replace some of the delivery vehicles and monitoring systems that currently rely on fossil fuels.

That shift would reduce emissions, ease traffic, and Support a healthier environment.

It’s a reminder that protecting wildlife and studying animals isn’t just about Conservation — it’s also about unlocking innovations that can improve human lives while safeguarding the earth.

As Owen Wastell, a PhD student and project co-lead, put it, “It’s humbling that in an era of advanced machines and technology, we’re still looking to the natural world for inspiration.”

This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by One Green Planet on 28 August 2025. Lead Image Credit: manatus/Shutterstock.