Engineers at the University of California, Berkeley have taken inspiration from bumblebees to create a tiny, wireless flying robot , measuring less than a centimeter in diameter and weighing just 21 milligrams, capable of performing highly precise aerial maneuvers.
The smallest wireless flying robot
This flying micro-robot is equipped with two small magnets and takes the form of a propeller. When an external magnetic field is applied, the magnets interact, causing the propeller to rotate , thereby generating the lift necessary for flight. This technique eliminates the need for batteries or complex electronic systems onboard, facilitating its tiny size and light weight.
With the ability to hover, change direction, and reach specific targets, this robot has the potential to improve multiple sectors. For example, it could be used in artificial pollination , inspection of tight spaces like the interior of pipes, and exploration of complex environments where human access is limited. Furthermore, its bio-inspired design allows it to emulate the navigation and pollination abilities of bumblebees, opening up new possibilities for the interaction between robotics and nature.
Currently, the robot operates using passive flight, lacking integrated sensors to detect its position or trajectory in real time . This means that external factors, such as wind gusts, could affect its course.
Real-time testing of the microrobot prototype. Source: Berkeley Engineering
Researchers are working on incorporating active controls that allow for real-time adjustments, improving its stability and responsiveness to environmental changes . Additionally, methods are being explored to further reduce its size, which would allow it to be controlled using weaker magnetic fields, such as those generated by radio waves.
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Source and photo: UC Berkeley
