# Bio-Inspired Folding Drones This Drone's Folding Mechanisms are Inspired By Beetles' Wings By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-10-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folding-drone References: [newatlas](http://newatlas.com/drone-beetle-inspired-wings/45794/) & [actu.epfl.ch](http://actu.epfl.ch/news/a-drone-with-insect-inspired-folding-wings/) Folding drones are becoming an increasingly popular design considering the advantages they bring to the table in terms of compactness and portability, which is precisely why a group of scientists and engineers working out of [EPFL's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mapping-drone) Laboratory of Intelligent Systems have gone ahead and developed a robot with a brilliant folding mechanism inspired by the unique folding mechanisms of beetles' wings. This particular folding drone's wingspan is over 40 percent less when its folded. What's more, the wings themselves can be unfolded in only a single movement even though their pattern is incredibly complicated. The drone can be flown by simply tossing it into the air. This folding drone's compactness and design make it an excellent option for [search-and-rescue and military applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vita-bladeless). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/robots) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Bio-inspired Folding Drones:** Creating designs for drones that mimic nature can lead to significant advancements in portability and flight patterns. - **Compact and Easy-to-use Drones:** Developing drones that can be quickly and easily deployed could serve industries like search-and-rescue and the military with more efficient and effective tools. - **Multi-functional Drones:** Investing in drones that can be used in a variety of different industries, from disaster relief to construction site inspections, can open up lucrative opportunities for businesses. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Search and Rescue:** The development of compact and easy-to-use drones can revolutionize the way emergency services find and rescue people, potentially saving more lives. - **Military:** Lightweight and portable drones can be especially advantageous in military applications, allowing for more efficient reconnaissance and tactical response. - **Construction and Infrastructure:** Multi-functional drones can be used for inspecting the integrity of large-scale infrastructure, such as bridges and power lines. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Foldable Camera Drone Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dji-1.md) - [Inflatable Body Digital Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sobar-drone.md) - [Foldable All-Weather Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matrice-30.md) - [Parachute Delivery Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kirigami-parachute.md) - [Folding Wing eVTOL Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transwing-evtol.md) - [Incline-Friendly Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modified-drone.md)