Insects are amazing creatures that can perform feats of agility, strength and endurance that are unmatched by any other animals. They can fly, jump, crawl, swim and even survive in extreme environments. Inspired by these remarkable abilities, researchers have been developing micro-robots that mimic the form and function of insects. insect-inspired micro-robots
insect-inspired micro-robots Recently, two teams of researchers from the US and China have created two micro-robots that have broken the records for size, weight and speed among all known robots. These micro-robots are a mini-bug and a water strider, and they are modeled after a beetle and a water-skimming insect, respectively.
The mini-bug is a tiny robot that weighs only 88 milligrams, which is about the same as a grain of rice. It can move at a speed of 3.4 centimeters per second, which is equivalent to 38 body lengths per second. This makes it the fastest robot relative to its size ever created. The mini-bug can also carry a payload of up to 2.6 times its own weight, which is impressive for such a small robot.
insect-inspired micro-robots The water strider is made of a carbon fiber frame that supports four water-repellent legs and two jumping legs. The water-repellent legs are coated with a superhydrophobic material that prevents them from sinking into the water. The jumping legs are powered by a spring-loaded mechanism that is triggered by a magnetic switch. The water strider can control its direction by adjusting the angle of its jumping legs.
The mini-bug is made of a thin layer of polymer that is sandwiched between two electrodes. When an electric voltage is applied, the polymer contracts and expands, causing the robot to bend and straighten its legs. This creates a crawling motion that propels the robot forward. The mini-bug can also change direction by adjusting the voltage on each leg.
The water strider is a slightly larger robot that weighs 11.8 grams, which is about the same as a AAA battery. It can move at a speed of 1.5 meters per second, which is faster than any other water-walking robot ever created. The water strider can also jump on water, reaching a height of 14.2 centimeters and a distance of 35.4 centimeters.
insect-inspired micro-robots The water strider is made of a carbon fiber frame that supports four water-repellent legs and two jumping legs. The water-repellent legs are coated with a superhydrophobic material that prevents them from sinking into the water. The jumping legs are powered by a spring-loaded mechanism that is triggered by a magnetic switch. The water strider can control its direction by adjusting the angle of its jumping legs.
Both the mini-bug and the water strider are examples of how insect-inspired robots can achieve remarkable performance and efficiency. These micro-robots can have potential applications in fields such as exploration, surveillance, environmental monitoring and biomedical engineering. They can also inspire new designs and innovations in robotics and engineering.
The mini-bug is a tiny robot that weighs only 88 milligrams, which is about the same as a grain of rice. It can move at a speed of 3.4 centimeters per second, which is equivalent to 38 body lengths per second. This makes it the fastest robot relative to its size ever created.
The mini-bug can also carry a payload of up to 2.6 times its own weight, which is impressive for such a small robot.insect-inspired micro-robots The water strider is made of a carbon fiber frame that supports four water-repellent legs and two jumping legs. The water-repellent legs are coated with a superhydrophobic material that prevents them from sinking into the water. The jumping legs are powered by a spring-loaded mechanism that is triggered by a magnetic switch. The water strider can control its direction by adjusting the angle of its jumping legs.
Discover how two micro-robots, a mini-bug and a water strider, achieved the feat of being the smallest, lightest insect-inspired micro-robots
1 thought on “How Two Insect-Inspired Robots Broke the Records for Size”