Researchers Create a New Robotic Bee with full Freedom of Movement

A revolutionary advancement in miniature robotics has been achieved with the development of a new robot, affectionately named Bee++. This remarkable robot possesses the ability to fly freely in all six degrees of freedom, representing a significant breakthrough. The potential applications of this miniature robot range from artificial pollination to search and rescue operations.

Engineered by a team of researchers at Washington State University (WSU), Bee++ features four wings constructed from carbon fiber and mylar, along with a lightweight actuator responsible for wing control. Notably, Bee++ is the first of its kind to achieve stable flight in all directions, including the challenging yaw motion that is typically difficult for robots to navigate successfully. WSU has highlighted this accomplishment in a statement.

Bee++ Takes Flight in Breakthrough Robotics Study

The team of researchers, led by Néstor O. Pérez-Arancibia, who holds the Flaherty associate professorship at WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, has published their findings on Bee++ in the journal IEEE Transactions on Robotics this week. Moreover, Pérez-Arancibia is scheduled to present their report at the upcoming IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, to be held at the end of June.

The development of Bee++ has been a long-term endeavor, spanning several decades, with robotics researchers worldwide aiming to create an artificial flying insect. The objective behind such advancements is to potentially revolutionize various fields, including plant pollination methods, biological research, and search and rescue operations in confined spaces, such as collapsed buildings or structures.

In fact, to create the robot, researchers had to digitally reconstruct the insect’s brain using specialized controllers. However This process involved a combination of robotic design and control, with a strong emphasis on mathematical control algorithms that mimic the functions of an artificial brain. Pérez-Arancibia, the lead researcher, highlights the significance of these “simple brains” as the hidden technology that enables the robot’s functionality.

Overcoming the Yaw Challenge in Insect-inspired Robotics

In a previous project in 2019, Pérez-Arancibia and his team successfully developed a four-winged insect robot capable of lift-off, pitch, and roll, granting it four degrees of freedom. However, implementing the final two degrees of freedom, known as yaw, posed a greater challenge.

The ability to control yaw is crucial as it enables precise navigation towards a target. Without yaw control, the robot would constantly spin, limiting its effectiveness. Pérez-Arancibia emphasizes the difficulty of this task, noting that theoretical ideas existed for controlling yaw, but practical implementation was hindered by limitations in actuation technology.

While the bee robot developed by the team is larger than an average bee, weighing 95mg with a 33mm wingspan, it represents a significant step forward in functional robotics at this scale. Overcoming the challenge of yaw control is a major milestone in the development of such miniature robots.

Read the original article on Interesting Engineering.

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