University of Tokyo’s DRAGON Lab developed the world’s first flapping-wing drone capable of safe human contact, inspired by a falcon.

The bird-like drone uses soft, flexible wings instead of propellers, making it quieter and safer for close interaction.

It responds to simple hand gestures: bent arm signals “stay,” extended arm means “approach and land.”

Eight motion-capture cameras track user movements, enabling precise flight planning that maintains 0.3-meter chest distance and approaches from predictable angles.
The drone’s sophisticated algorithm adjusts velocity based on human motion perception, potentially enabling package delivery and accessibility applications in crowded urban environments.