Washington State University researchers presented two mini-robots modeled after insects.
They became the smallest, lightest and fastest fully functional robots in history.
Devices inspired by beetles and water vipers can be used in a multitude of industries, such as: artificial pollination of crops, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, micro-fabrication and robotic surgery. The mini-scarab weighs eight milligrams and the water viper 55 milligrams, and both robots are capable of reaching speeds of about six millimeters per second. These parameters make them several orders of magnitude faster and lighter than their predecessors.
The mini-robots can move with the help of two tiny wires, being able to flap their wings or move their legs at a speed of up to 40 times per second. This technology also requires a minimal level of electrical or thermal energy to power their movement, making them efficient and cost-effective. Conor Trygstad, a PhD student in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, notes that these mini-robots, despite their impressive performance, still lag behind their biological counterparts in nature. However, their speed and lightness offer new perspectives in robotics.
Scientists have already begun experiments using microbatteries and catalytic combustion to make these devices autonomous. If this research is successful, it will allow robots to operate without an external power source.
2024-01-23 00:31:09
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