Researchers Introduce a New Generation of Tiny Insect-Inspired Flying Robots

The use of advanced technology has the potential to enhance the capabilities of aerial robots, enabling them to operate effectively in small rooms and withstand collisions. MIT Assistant Professor Kevin Yufeng Chen has developed a system that mimics the agility observed in insects, acknowledging their remarkable acrobatic skills and resilience during flight.

By employing soft actuators, Chen has created insect-sized drones that possess exceptional agility and durability, capable of enduring the challenges encountered in real-world flight. Chen envisions that these robotics advancements could eventually assist humans in tasks such as cross-pollinating plants or conducting machinery inspections in confined spaces. The research conducted by Chen and his team, including collaborators from MIT, Harvard College, and City College of Hong Kong, has been published in the IEEE Transactions on Robotics.

The typical requirement for drones is to operate in open spaces because they lack the agility and durability to navigate confined areas or handle collisions. However, MIT Assistant Professor Kevin Yufeng Chen has questioned whether it is possible to develop insect-sized robots capable of maneuvering in complex and chaotic spaces.

Overcoming Construction Challenges

Chen recognizes that building small airborne robots presents significant challenges as they require different construction approaches compared to larger drones. While piezoelectric ceramic materials have been used in the past, they are not resilient enough for insect-like robots that need to withstand collisions.

To address this, Chen has developed a more robust small drone using soft actuators made of thin rubber tubes coated with carbon nanotubes. When voltage is applied, the carbon nanotubes generate an electrostatic force that causes the rubber cylinder to contract and expand, enabling the wings of the drone to beat rapidly.

Flapping Wings and Endless Possibilities

These soft actuators allow the drone to flap up to 500 times per second, providing insect-like resilience and agility. Weighing only 0.6 grams, the drone resembles a small cassette tape with wings. Chen’s innovation has potential applications in various fields such as inspections of machinery, artificial pollination of crops, and search-and-rescue missions. By developing insect-scale robots, Chen aims to gain insights into the biology and physics of insect flight and apply them to practical industries.

The soft actuators’ ability to withstand collisions without affecting flight makes the drones suitable for navigating cluttered environments. However, further advancements are needed to reduce the operating voltage and enable untethered flights in real-world settings, according to Farrell Helbling, an assistant professor at Cornell University. Chen’s research not only contributes to entomology but also has practical implications for industry and agriculture, where large-scale robots may not be suitable for certain tasks.

Originally published by scitechdaily.com

Reference: “Collision Resilient Insect-Scale Soft-Actuated Aerial Robots With High Agility” by YuFeng Chen, Siyi Xu, Zhijian Ren and Pakpong Chirarattananon, 18 February 2021, IEEE Transactions on Robotics.
DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2021.3053647

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