The idea of low-cost flying microrobots is exciting and has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with our environment. These robots are small in size and low in cost, making them ideal for a variety of applications, from surveillance to search and rescue operations, and even medical purposes like delivering drugs or monitoring patients in remote areas.
RoboBee and RoboFly: Autonomous Flying Microrobots
Two of the most notable microrobots are RoboBee and RoboFly. Harvard’s RoboBee is a paperclip-sized robot that has shown impressive airborne capabilities despite its small power wire and developing brain. Its developers are working on fitting its complicated flight systems into a compact, lightweight body capable of carrying pollination loads or video cameras. According to its developers, 10,000 RoboBees could find victims faster than humans, making it a promising technology for search and rescue operations. RoboBee is currently being monitored by the White House Task Force.
RoboFly, developed by researchers at the University of Washington, is a tiny fly-shaped robot that can fly through the air without using any wires or cables. Weighing only a few millimeters and roughly the same weight as a toothpick, it has its own brain to manage the beating of its wings. The circuit, including the microprocessor, is light enough for the robot to fly, and it incorporates a solar cell and a voltage boost converter for generating power.
The Versatility of Micro Drones
Microdrones have become increasingly popular due to advances in technology. They are small and lightweight, making them ideal for tasks that require precision and accuracy such as surveying or mapping an area. Their main use is for surveillance, but they can also be used for search and rescue operations, aerial photography, and agriculture to monitor crops and spot potential problems before they become too serious.
The uses of micro drones are only limited by the imagination, with new applications being discovered every day. From delivering medical supplies to assisting firefighters with search missions, these small drones have proven their worth time and time again.