Application of Coleoptera Elytra for Protection of Winged Drones

Small UAVs are used in a multitude of contexts, including surveillance or transportation of goods. Fixed winged drones in certain environments risk damage to flight components, but no well-utilized solution has been created. Multirotor copters can use enveloping cages but a solution for winged drones is more complex. The purpose of this research is to determine the viability of using Coleoptera elytra as an inspiration for a protection mechanism. The general framework for conducting this research centered around fabricating numerous prototypes, improving on the shortcomings of the previous ones. Early prototypes centered more on individual mechanisms while later prototypes focused on integrating all components. Simulations and tests were conducted on each prototype to determine durability and flight characteristics. The elytra in most tests even with low impact-tolerance plastics showed effective protection capabilities. However, the unoptimized aerodynamic qualities of wing surfaces and the body and unoptimized weight prevented the drone from becoming airborne. This research shows promise in using beetle elytra as an inspiration for protection of winged drones. At a smaller scale, elytra are a viable option, but needs to be optimized more in terms of materials usage and shape and tested further with larger scale prototypes.