---
title: Feathers Not Included
date: 2018-09-11T09:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/feathers-not-included-94c6911a-aab9-4aa6-a8ce-cb1351fffeec"
section: Articles
---
# Feathers Not Included

*September 11, 2018* — by [A. James Clark School of Engineering Staff](/author/a-james-clark-school-of-engineering-staff)


> Doctoral Student Helps Create Robotic Bird With Revolutionary Wing-Flapping Ability

[Feathers Not Included](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHoGNhPS4QM)



In this age of advanced technology, how hard could it be to develop a robotic bird that flies by flapping its wings similar to a real bird? Despite the apparent simplicity of the idea, it’s very hard—if you want it to actually fly. Lena Johnson, a doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has helped the A. James Clark School of Engineering make the goal a reality.


**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Robotics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robotics), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [A. James Clark School of Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/james-clark-school-engineering)