# Perching Bird-Like Drones This Fixed-Wing Drone Can Perch On Power Lines to Charge its Batteries By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-06-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fixedwing-drone References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/bird-inspired-perching-uav/32664/) & [newsoffice.mit.edu](http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/charging-solution-delivery-drones-take-after-our-feathered-friends) MIT scientists have invented an ingenious fixed-wing drone that can charge itself by simply sitting on a power line and using their emitted magnetic fields to recharge its batteries. This helps get around a common problem faced by most autonomous drones, which is that they can only fly for very short periods of time before they need to be charged up again. Fixed-wing drones are actually not as good at perching on things as typical multi-rotor drones. However, the MIT team decided to go with a fixed-wing design anyway because these drones tend to be more fast and energy-efficient. The perching capability of the drones was developed with inspiration drawn from birds and the manner in which they adjust the orientation of their body when preparing to perch. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Autonomous Charging Drones:** The development of drones that can charge themselves by perching on power lines opens up opportunities for autonomous charging capabilities in various industries. - **Energy-efficient Fixed-wing Drones:** The use of fixed-wing drones with perching capabilities showcases the potential for more energy-efficient drone designs in the aviation industry. - **Bio-inspired Perching Technology:** The incorporation of bird-like perching capabilities in drone technology demonstrates the disruptive potential of bio-inspired solutions in the robotics industry. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Aviation:** The development of energy-efficient fixed-wing drones with autonomous charging capabilities can revolutionize drone applications in the aviation industry. - **Energy:** The advancement of perching bird-like drones offers opportunities for autonomous charging and energy harvesting in the renewable energy sector. - **Robotics:** The introduction of bio-inspired perching technology in drone design presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the robotics industry, enabling enhanced navigation and energy management. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Power-Beaming Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system.md) - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [Bird-Diverting Robotic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-system.md) - [VTOL-Supporting Drone Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone-systems.md) - [Incline-Friendly Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modified-drone.md) - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [Flying Aquatic Maintenance Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seaair-integrated-drone.md) - [Crow-Shaped Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooded-crow.md) - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md)