# Whimsical Robotic Dragonflies Festo's BionicOpter Resembles Realistic Small Dragonflies By Ian Andrew Panganiban | Published 2013-04-01 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-dragonflies References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/technology/festo-bionicopter-dragonfly-robot/) & [festo](http://www.festo.com/cms/en_corp/13165.htm) While it used to be common for a person to come across small dragonflies during the summer months, nowadays they're rarely ever seen. Festo has creatively come up with a way to provide insect enthusiasts with a way to appreciate these insects by creating a [robotic flying object](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-drone). The BionicOpter is able to engage in [complex flight maneuvers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoverair-x1-pro), similar to that of a dragonfly. It's able to fly in all directions, hover in mid-aid and glide throughout the air. The lightweight parts used to create the flying robot aids with the ease of movement. All [four wings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flying-machine-set) features an amplitude controller, which determines the direction of thrust and intensity. With whimsical creatures such as the dragonfly slowly disappearing from this world, this technological substitute brings about a somewhat sad reminder about how technology is slowly chipping away the splendours of nature. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/technology/festo-bionicopter-dragonfly-robot/), [festo](http://www.festo.com/cms/en_corp/13165.htm) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Bionic Insects:** There is an opportunity to develop a range of realistic, lightweight and energy-efficient bionic insects that can serve a range of purposes including as toys, educational tools and even as pollinators in agriculture. - **Bio-inspired Drones:** The development of bio-inspired drones could lead to a new generation of smaller, more agile drones that can fly in all directions, hover in mid-air and glide, much like the dragonfly. - **Eco-tourism:** Eco-tourism operators can leverage the rise of bionic insects to provide unique experiences that bring people closer to nature while also educating them on important environmental issues and conservation efforts. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Toy Manufacturing:** Toy manufacturers can develop a range of bionic insect toys that can engage and educate children on the science behind biomimicry, robotics, and insects. - **Drone Manufacturing:** Drone manufacturers can develop bio-inspired drones that replicate the movements of insects, which could serve a range of applications beyond entertainment, including performing complex inspections and surveys in difficult-to-reach places. - **Agriculture:** Agricultural companies can explore the use of bionic insects, such as pollinators, to improve crop yields and reduce dependence on traditional pollination methods that may harm the environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Kinetic Insect Sculpture Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dragonfly-balance-light.md) - [Falcon-Inspired Aerial Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-falcon.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Bird-Diverting Robotic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-system.md) - [Levitating Firefighting Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firefighting-robot.md) - [Next-Gen Wildfire Rescue Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firefly-x01-fire-rescue-drone.md) - [Crow-Shaped Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooded-crow.md)