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Harvard University's robotic insect takes its first controlled flight (video)

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Via:  chloe  •  12 years ago  •  11 comments

Harvard University's robotic insect takes its first controlled flight (video)

http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/03/harvard-universitys-robotic-insect-takes-its-first-controlled-f/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

There's hardly a shortage of animal inspired robots, but few are as tiny as Harvard's autonomous RoboBee . The robotic insect has been around for a while, but researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering only recently managed a minor breakthrough: controlled flight. Using new manufacturing and design processes, the team has managed to keep the coin-sized bug aloft by independently manipulating the robot's wings with piezoelectric actuators and a delicate control system.


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Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
link   Hal A. Lujah    12 years ago

New and improved Off! - now repels sythetic bugs!

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   Neetu2    12 years ago

I am wondering what the purpose of this minor breakthrough is, CL! Sometimes, I understand the funding that goes into research, sometimes I don't.

 
 
 
Chloe
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Chloe    12 years ago

If they learn to 'untether' them and use them for spying on us---I hope that new "Off" will be on the store shelves!

 
 
 
sixpick
Professor Quiet
link   sixpick    12 years ago

 
 
 
Chloe
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Chloe    12 years ago

Me too, Neetu... Robotics seem to be the wave of future technology. I knew they were working on these in the past, but I didn't think they were still tethered. That would seem to be a complication. I would guess they want them for spying and data collection. (I also expect nanobots to be a part of future generations lives:)

 
 
 
sixpick
Professor Quiet
link   sixpick    12 years ago

 
 
 
Chloe
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Chloe    12 years ago

Thank you for those, Six! I thought they had those on remote control, too. Harvard's bots must be something different...I don't know.

 
 
 
Neetu2
Freshman Silent
link   Neetu2    12 years ago

Does that mean detectives will go out of business?Frown.gif

 
 
 
Chloe
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Chloe    12 years ago

I had not thought of that, Neetu! lol

The little bots would sure seem to help them!

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
link   Krishna    12 years ago

Me too, Neetu... Robotics seem to be the wave of future technology. I knew they were working on these in the past, but I didn't think they were still tethered. That would seem to be a complication. I would guess they want them for spying and data collection. (I also expect nanobots to be a part of future generations lives:)

iRobot, a publically traded company, is best known for its Roomba vacuum cleaner robot ( seen here on NT, with optional pussycat accessory Smile.gif ). I don't know if they make these really tiny insect-like robots, but they do make small robots for military use:

firstlook.jpg

There's something pretty damn appealing about a controllable robot that can be hurled through a window and live to tell the tale. It looks like the military brass agree; The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) has ordered over 100 of iRobot's 110 FirstLook scouting units. Unsurprisingly, these robots are tougher than your garden variety RC vehicle.

Aside from managing our desperate throws, these can survive 15-foot drops, self-right, relay radio communication over a digital mesh network and feed back video from its four built-in cameras. After a year of internal testing , the bots will get their first on-the-job trial in an "operational assessment" later this spring. Check out the (military) man-toy in action right after the break.

 
 
 
Chloe
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Chloe    12 years ago

Interesting video, krishna. Pretty amazing they are that tough! I saw a video of some remote control military devices the Israelis were using, and an American film of the developments in spybots like sixpick shows down below, but this little tank is so cute--has some serious attitude! lol ..Thanks for posting it..

 
 
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