Journal of Bionic Engineering (2025) 22:458–479 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-025-00648-1

Mimicking Nature’s Insects: A Review of Bio-inspired Flapping-Wing  Micro Robots (FWMRs)

Chao Liu1  · Tianyu Shen1  · Huan Shen2  · Bo Lu1  · Lining Sun1  · Guodong Chen1  · Wenzheng Chi1

1 Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical  and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University,  Suzhou 215021, Jiangsu, China 

2 College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing  University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing  210016, China

Abstract 

Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) have flexibility and maneuverability, which can offer vast potential for applications in both  civilian and military domains. Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs, Flapping Wing Micro Robots (FWMRs) have  garnered widespread attention among scientists due to their superior miniaturized aerodynamic theory, reduced noise,  and enhanced resistance to disturbances in complex and diverse environments. Flying insects, it not only has remarkable  flapping flight ability (wings), but also takeoff and landing habitat ability (legs). If the various functions of flying insects  can be imitated, efficient biomimetic FWMRs can be produced. This paper provides a review of the flight kinematics,  aerodynamics, and wing structural parameters of insects. Then, the traditional wings and folding wings of insect-inspired  FWMRs were compared. The research progress in takeoff and landing of FWMRs was also summarized, and the future  developments and challenges for insect-inspired FWMRs were discussed. 

Keywords Insect · Flapping-Wing Micro Robots · Bioinspired · Takeoff-Landing