The BionicOpter

Forget remote-controlled model planes – the latest flying gadget is a robotic dragonfly!

German robotics company Festo created the drone which can be controlled with a mobile phone app.

The spectacular BionicOpter is capable of complex, acrobatic manouevres and its carbon fibre and foil wings beat up to 20 times per second.

The drone is 44cm long, has a wingspan of 63cm and weighs just 175 grams. It incorporates a sensor which records and sends back data on the position and movement of the wings.

A company spokesman said the clever design and lightweight construction made for a “unique way of flying”.

“This means that for the first time there is a model that can master all the flight conditions of a helicopter, a winged aircraft and even a glider,” he said.

“Despite its complexity, the highly integrated system can be operated easily and intuitively via a smartphone.”