The smallest flight robot in the world

It is inspired by insects. They did it at the University of Berkeley. You can plan, change the experience and achieve small objectives, such as a flower bumblebee. The smallest flight robot in the world weighs 21 milligrams.

It has less than a centimeter in diameter. «Bees exhibit notable aeronautical abilities, such as navigation, planning and pollination. Artificial flying robots of similar scale cannot do that ». He affirmed it in a statement Liwei Lin, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering. «This flying robot can be controlled wirelessly to approach and achieve a designated objective. Imitate the pollination mechanism when a bee collects nectar and is flying ».

Adjusting the flight

For a robot to fly, it must be equipped with an energy source, such as a battery. And an electronics for flight control. They are two components that can be difficult to integrate in very small and light devices. The researchers used an external magnetic field to feed the device and control the trajectory.

The robot has the shape of a small propeller. It includes two small magnets. Under the influence of an external magnetic field, these magnets attract and repel. This causes the propeller to turn and generate sufficient support to raise the soil robot. The robot flight trajectory can be accurately controlled by modulating the intensity of the magnetic field.

“You are useful to explore small cavities and other complex environments,” they say. “It would serve for artificial pollination or to inspect small spaces, such as the interior of a pipe.” It does not have integrated sensors that detect their position or trajectory and cannot adjust their movements in real time. Something like a strong wind could divert it from your career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tece7-qqao

Other prototypes

The smallest flight robot in the world is not the only project they have. Lin’s team has also created a robot inspired by a cockroach. You can run on the floor and survive human trampling. They are working on new “swarm” robots. They can work as a teams to perform tasks that would be impossible for individual robots.

«They are 5 mm scale robots that can be dragged, roll and turn. They work as a team to form chains and sets, or perform even more difficult tasks, ”they say. «They could be used in minimally invasive surgery. Several of them would be injected into the body and make cooperate to remove clots or perform other tasks ».