MIT's robotic insects could revolutionize crop pollination
American scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a new type of robotic insect that can fly 100 times longer than previous designs. These robots are intended to aid in the mechanical pollination of fruits and vegetables.
Until now, robotic bees or bumblebees existed only in our imagination. Now, researchers from MIT in Cambridge, USA, have succeeded in creating a new type of flying robot. They've developed miniature drones that may one day assist farmers by precisely performing pollinating tasks in mechanized hives. Although these devices are still far from achieving the level of perfection needed to match bees, the research team has made significant progress in their design, drawing inspiration from the anatomy of natural insects.
According to the MIT research team, this new technology could significantly boost crop yields without harming the environment. They published their latest research 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, weighing just 0.006 ounces—less than a paper clip—demonstrate complex movements such as aerial acrobatics by minimizing the mechanical load on the wings. They can also navigate in water. With the new design, they can now perform flights lasting over 1,000 seconds, or more than 17 minutes of continuous activity, which is over 100 times longer than previously achieved.
Precision wing hinges provide more possibilities
The new design of the robotic insects leaves more room for mounting small batteries and sensors, allowing the miniature robots to operate independently outside the laboratory. These robots can perform rotations three times greater than before thanks to precisely crafted wing hinges that reduce torsional stresses. This transformation allows for more complex flight paths, bringing these devices even closer to practical applications.
The design of insect drones will impact the future of agricultural technology
Kevin Chen from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT, who leads the team, aims to continue improving the robot, as reported on the MIT website. With the full squad, Chen plans to explore the potential of the new design further, striving to extend flight time to over 10,000 seconds. The team is also focusing on the possibility of equipping the robots with microscopic batteries and sensors.
The project has received support from the National Science Foundation and the MathWorks scholarship, confirming its innovation and potential impact on the future of agricultural technology.
