MIT's robotic insects take flight: Boosting agricultural yields
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA have developed a new type of robotic insect that can fly 100 times longer than previous designs. These insects are intended to aid with the mechanical pollination of fruits and vegetables.
Until now, robotic bees or bumblebees were only a figment of our imagination. However, researchers at MIT in Cambridge, USA, have managed to create a new variety of flying robots. They have developed miniature drones that could one day assist farmers in mechanised hives, undertaking the duties of pollinators with precision. Although these devices are still far from achieving the perfection needed to match bees, the research team has made significant progress in their design, drawing inspiration from the anatomy of natural insects.
The MIT team believes their new technology could significantly boost crop yields without harming the environment. Their latest research is published in the journal "Science Robotics".
A new robotic insect weighs less than a paperclip
The latest version of the miniature flying robot surpasses previous prototypes in agility and durability. These small devices, which weigh less than 0.2 grams, lighter than a paper clip, are capable of more complex movements such as aerial acrobatics, enabled by reducing the mechanical load on the wings. They can also move in water. With the new design, they can now perform flights lasting over 1,000 seconds, or more than 17 minutes of continuous activity, a duration over 100 times greater than what has been previously achieved.
Precision wing hinges provide more possibilities
The new design of robotic insects allows room for small batteries or sensors, enabling the miniature robot to function independently outside the laboratory. Thanks to precision-engineered wing hinges that reduce torsional stresses, these robots can perform rotations three times greater than before. This advancement leads to more complex flight paths, bringing these devices closer to practical applications.
The design of insect drones will impact the future of agricultural technology
Kevin Chen, who leads the team from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT, intends to continue refining the robot, as reported on the MIT website. Chen and his team plan to explore the new design's potential further, striving to extend flight time to over 10,000 seconds. The team is also focusing on the potential of equipping the robots with microscopic batteries and sensors.
The project has received support from the National Science Foundation and the Mathworks scholarship, endorsing its innovation and potential impact on the future of agricultural technology.
