Controlled flight of a self-powered micro blimp driven by insect-sized flapping-wing thrusters

Micro aerial platforms face significant challenges in achieving long controlled endurance as most of the energy is consumed to overcome the weight of the body. In this study, we present a controllable micro blimp that addresses this issue through the use of a helium-filled balloon. The micro blimp has a long axis of 23 cm and is propelled by four insect-sized flapping-wing thrusters, each weighing 80 mg and with a wingspan of 3.5 cm. These distributed thrusters enable controlled motions and provide the micro blimp with an advantage in flight endurance compared to multi-rotors or flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles at the same size scale. To enhance the performance of the controlled flight, we propose a wireless control module that enables manipulation from a distance of up to 100 m. Additionally, a smartphone application is developed to send instructions to the circuit board, allowing the blimp to turn left and right, ascend and descend, and achieve a combination of these movements separately. Our findings demonstrate that this micro blimp is one of the smallest controlled self-powered micro blimps to date.