What’s next?

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I got a lot of comments on the last video in which you can see my first test of the wings. The response was massive, not just on my YouTube channel but also on a lot of other blogs. (check Engadget, TechCrunch, Discovery Channel)

Some people really loved it and support what I am doing. But of course there was also a lot of criticism. Some were pessimistic and blatantly negative, but most were useful! Either way a very fruitful discussion. 

For me this project is all about my dream, the seamingly impossible and pushing the limits of human capabilities and technical applications. I am happy that still a lot of people are willing to share this dream with me.

You should read this post on techblog Next Nature. They caputered my point perfectly. 

“Arguably, the most desirable technologies are the ones that that take the human condition as a cornerstone. They resonate with our human senses, feel natural, empower people and that realize the dreams people have of themselves. For lack of a better word we call them ‘humane technologies’. Now here is an example what might be the most humane technology since the invention of the bicycle. Dutch mechanical-engineer Jarno Smeets dreams of flying like bird. “

 

Anyway.

As soon as the weather is good I will continue testing or perhaps, flying.

 

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15 thoughts on “What’s next?”

  1. Please someone reply, I want to buy one of these or make my own. I need to know when (if) it is mass produced. I cannot live without these, it’s always been my dream to fly.

  2. I have been dreaming of this all my life. When you flapped up and away from the ground, my heart soared up with you. For all the others who share this dream, I thank you for making it one very large step closer to relaity.

    Let NOTHING stop you! You are doing amazing work!

    In fact, I see a direct parallel to the first powered airplane flights. The Wright Flyer’s first flights were straight ahead, up and down events. Next they worked out control surfaces and steering. Pretty soon, they had crude but fully functional airplanes. You will be a large, free-roaming bird sooner than you think.

    And one day soon, I hope to fly too!

  3. Amaising :)

    I’m hanglider and have designed and built hangliders by myself. Would you share to wing structure construction?

  5. I love what u are doing, I usually day dream about this kind of things, mostly about VTOLs but reading about them I have some ideas that might be stupid but can help:
    One is to use profile shaped balloons in the wing with helium, is not going to lift you but every extra gram of lift you can get is going to help, and since you have all that space in the wing not being used.

    Other is to use a small moving vehicle to launch and a safety rope so you don’t fly off but you get a chance to feel the handling of the wing.

    The last one is to have a look at this site, the have a very good flying bird model moves just like a real bird, but as a real bird you should be available to glide as well.

    • Hey Jarno,

      Great Job!!!!

      Hoping to fly like you some day, once your tweeks are all done and product is ready for the world. I don’t want to suggest any ideas but what you have is good and simple. Simple is good.

      You are the missing link between DaVinci and the Wright Brothers.

      Good Luck and God bless you and your project.

      God Speed!!!

  6. You are on a start of a very, very long journey. Lots of luck!
    P.S.: Checkout Festo’s SmartBird project (http://www.festo.com).
    Until they articulated wing tips warping, they had 0 thrust.
    Almost gave up on the thing! Bird flight is full of mystery.
    P.P.S.: Good tip on the pushups from Fil.

  7. Try running down a mountain slope to get a longer “in-flight” phase, so you can start testing wing behaviour in flight without exhausting yourself.
    Although maybe mountain slopes are a bit of rare in Holland ;-)
    Anyway, best of luck, wonderful project!

  8. This has also been a dream of mine since working outside with plenty of time to watch the gulls flying freely. It is inspiring to see the movement of your wings in your outdoor test — how the wings responded so well to your own arms.

    Last year I met a man who did push-ups every morning. He had worked his way up to doing 400, then 1000, and now does 5000 every morning. I imagine that you won’t need the strength of 5000 push-ups, but the stamina of flapping your arms and holding them out 5000 times. How are you working out your shoulder, back, and chest muscles?

    Keep it up! It is beautiful!

  10. Jarno, My only suggestion here is, more video! Documentation is critical. More cameras, more angles. Think about the relative lack of images from the efforts of such as Lillienthal, the Wrights and others. This first video of yours may one day be enshrined in museums and ‘books’ as history of where it all came from.