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New Flying Robot, The Smallest In The World, Imitates Bees And Uses Magnets For Search And Rescue Missions. Project Could Revolutionize Operations In High-Risk Areas
A group of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, has developed the smallest wireless flying robot ever created. Inspired by bees, the device measures less than one centimeter in diameter and weighs only 21 milligrams. Despite its tiny size, it is capable of flying, hovering in the air, and hitting targets with precision.
The robot’s flight mechanism is based on a simple yet ingenious system. With two small magnets incorporated into a structure resembling a propeller, it spins when exposed to an external magnetic field. This rotation generates enough lift for the robot to take off and move through the air.
The control is wireless. An external magnetic field is adjusted to change the direction and trajectory of the flight. This technique allows the smallest robot in the world to approach designated targets with precise control. The movement resembles that of a bee collecting nectar.
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Liwei Lin, a professor of Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley, explained that the project was directly inspired by bees. He stated that the flying robot can be remotely controlled to mimic how these insects move between flowers. The reference to bees also extends to the lightness and agility of the flight.
New Flying Robot: Overcoming Technical Limitations With Innovation
The researchers faced a common challenge in developing flying microrobots: the small size makes it difficult to include components such as batteries and control electronics.
The solution found was to power and control the device using magnetic fields. This way, there is no need to include an internal power source.
With this approach, the robot overcame technical limitations of other similarly sized models. According to the team, the closest robot with comparable flight capability measures about 2.8 centimeters, nearly three times larger than the new model.
Fanping Sui, a co-author of the study, highlighted potential practical applications. According to him, such small flying robots could be useful in hard-to-reach areas. One example would be inspecting narrow locations, such as the inside of pipes. There is also potential for artificial pollination in controlled environments.
Limitations
Despite the advancements, the robot still has limitations. Currently, it does not have sensors to detect its position or adjust the route in real-time. This makes it sensitive to external changes, such as gusts of wind. The flight is passive and depends on the stability of the environment.
Wei Yue, a graduate student involved in the project, stated that researchers are working to add active control to the robot. The idea is that, in the future, it will be able to react to the environment during flight, adjusting its position and trajectory autonomously.
Another limitation is the need for a strong magnetic field, generated by an electromagnetic coil. According to the researchers, further reducing the size of the robot to under 1 millimeter could allow for the use of weaker fields. This would pave the way for new power sources, such as radio waves.
Miniature Robots Are Gaining Ground
The robot is part of a set of studies on microrobotics at UC Berkeley. In addition to the bee-inspired robot, the researchers have also developed a model based on cockroaches. This ground robot can run over surfaces and support the weight of a human step.
Another highlight is the so-called swarm robots. About 5 millimeters in size, these units can crawl, roll, spin, and connect to one another.
The collaboration among them enables more complex tasks, such as forming structures or acting together in medical procedures.
These swarm robots are being designed with a focus on minimally invasive surgeries. They could, for example, be injected into the body and form stents, remove clots, or act on specific areas with precision.
The development of these robots demonstrates the advancement of miniature engineering. The UC Berkeley team continues to seek new ways to apply these technologies in real-world environments.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
Difícil de ler. Os anúncios impossibilitam a leitura da matéria. Difícil até de escrever o comentário. Meu Deus, que horror !!! Desrespeito total ao leitor
“diminuir ainda mais para menos de um CENTÍMETRO”
Eu renho orohetos de inovação e estou a procura de investimentos de ONG.s q trabalham nesse tipo de ajuda.