An engineer created a 10‑gram robotic bird that can spin up to 31 km/h and is controlled via a smartphone

French engineer Edwin Van Rymbek presented the new ornithopter drone “Strel”

> *“Strel” (Swift) – a compact and lightweight aircraft capable of mimicking the flight of real birds thanks to active wing flapping movements.*

What makes “Strel” special?
Component | Description
---|---
Two‑component tail | *Speed tail* – for fast flight; *Precision tail* – for precise, slow maneuvers. Allows speed adjustment from 3.5 to 31 km/h.
Weight and materials | 10.9 g: foamed polypropylene, carbon rods, titanium – high strength with minimal weight.
Flight time / range | 10–12 minutes; up to 150 m control distance.
Control | Via a mobile app (iOS/Android) with five presets for each tail. An integrated inertial system stabilizes flight in real time. Additional accessory X‑Play – a “joystick” for smartphones, turning them into a classic controller. Easy hand or ground launch thanks to small wheels.

Current project status
* In the final development and production preparation stage.
* Targeted at private customers.
* First deliveries planned for September 2026.

Why does “Strel” stand out among competitors?
Many ornithopters are limited to a single “cruising” speed and require large open spaces. With interchangeable tails and advanced electronics, “Strel” provides:

* High dynamics outdoors (up to 31 km/h).
* Precise control in confined space (3.5 km/h), enabling flight even indoors.

This makes it attractive both for enthusiasts and for demonstrating technological achievements in the field of “nature‑copying” small aircraft.

Pricing
Platform | Price | Retail | Kickstarter (with contribution)
---|---|---|---
Strel | €156 | €109

Thus, “Strel” combines innovative design, practicality, and affordable cost.