Equipped with sensors and cameras, the ornithopter can transmit live images and operate autonomously with its GPS-based system
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed a new flying machine that mimics the flight of a bird while operating as a high-tech drone. The autonomous ornithopter, built entirely in India, uses flapping wings for propulsion and is designed for discreet surveillance and data collection.
The largest version of the device, which boasts a wingspan of 1.6 metres, was unveiled on Saturday at the Global Capability Centers (GCC) Innovation Summit 2025, held at the IIT Kanpur campus. The event, which drew business leaders, investors, and policymakers, saw the “bird drone” capture significant attention.
Unlike conventional drones, the ornithopter is constructed with minimal metal components, making it difficult to detect by radar. According to Shramna Das from the Unsteady Aerodynamics Lab, the drone can fly for about an hour, reach heights of up to one kilometre, and travel between 300 and 400 metres.
Equipped with sensors and cameras, the ornithopter can transmit live images and operate autonomously with its GPS-based system. Its design has clear applications for military and security purposes, from border surveillance and rescue operations to disaster surveys, allowing for data collection without putting human lives at risk.
The summit showcased a range of other local innovations, including devices to convert electric meters into smart meters and a backpack that can charge laptops on the go. However, the IIT’s flying machine was the clear highlight, signaling a growing trend of Indian institutions moving innovative concepts from campus labs to the verge of real-world use.
