Highlights: If micro robots can achieve mass production, they will be able to perform various tasks that humans are unwilling or unable to complete.
Introduction: Many countries around the world have made significant research achievements in the field of micro robots. “Insect” robots can inspect pipelines, “Ant” robots can overcome obstacles, and “Bee” robots can fly using solar energy.
Recently, ETH Zurich, Harvard Robotics Lab, University of Sheffield, and MIT have unveiled their latest micro robots that can be applied in various fields such as industry, communication, and aviation, including micro motors capable of assembling any type of robot.
Micro robots have a wide range of applications, capable of entering environments that humans cannot reach to conduct surveys and transmit images and other information back, assisting humans in completing many difficult tasks.
To better understand the capabilities of these different types of micro robots, we have compiled a detailed introduction to four representative robots from Switzerland, the UK, and the USA that have made technological breakthroughs.
ETH Zurich Develops “Ant” Robot
The research team at ETH Zurich was inspired by ants to develop a 10-gram micro robot that can communicate with each other, assign roles, and work together to complete complex tasks.
These three-legged T-shaped origami robots are called Tribots, which can be assembled in just a few minutes by folding a stack of multi-material sheets, making them suitable for mass production.Fully autonomous and unbound, Tribots are equipped with infrared and proximity sensors for detection and communication.Depending on the application, they can accommodate more sensors.
Tribots can communicate with each other and perform collective actions. Their design is very simple, with each robot weighing only 10 grams, capable of navigating on any surface through various modes of movement.Researchers have published their findings in the journal Nature.
Overall, they can quickly detect and overcome obstacles, moving objects that are larger and heavier than themselves.
Researchers indicate that the design of Tribots mimics the movement of leafcutter ants, which jump from one leaf to another to evade predators.Tribots replicate this spring mechanism through a folded design, combined with multiple shape memory alloy actuators, allowing a robot to perform three different modes of movement, including vertical and horizontal crawling, rolling, and jumping.
Each robot is assigned a specific role based on the situation.The “Explorer” detects physical obstacles along the path, such as objects, valleys, and mountains.Upon detecting an obstacle, it notifies other team members.Then, the “Leader” gives instructions.Meanwhile, the “Worker” focuses on moving objects.“Each Tribot, like an ant in the team, can play different roles.When faced with new tasks or unknown environments, each Tribot can take on new roles at any time.
World’s Lightest Robot, Weighing Only 259 Milligrams
The Harvard Microrobotics Lab has developed the lightest flying robot in history, weighing only 259 milligrams.This new robot is very similar to a bee and is called RoboBee X-Wing. It does not require batteries for power; it can fly continuously using solar energy.
The design of RoboBee X-Wing employs an innovative four-wing structure that generates sufficient lift through front and back oscillation.The flying device weighs only 90 milligrams, with a wingspan of 3.5 centimeters, and the entire integrated system weighs 259 milligrams, standing 6.5 centimeters tall.
RoboBee X-Wing is powered by a micro solar cell weighing about 10 milligrams, and to improve flight efficiency, an additional pair of wings has been added.
Currently, the smallest solar cell on the market weighs 10 milligrams and can achieve a power output of 0.76 milliwatts per milligram when absorbing solar energy at maximum capacity. Due to the limitations of solar power, RoboBee X-Wing cannot achieve long-duration outdoor flights.
However, Robert Wood and his team have addressed this issue. He stated:“Powered flight is a significant challenge for small-scale flying devices due to the trade-off between weight and power. Even the smallest commercial batteries are much heavier than the robot. We created an ultra-lightweight multi-power circuit and integrated efficient solar cells.”
Micro Robots Used for Pipeline Maintenance
In 2018, the UK government launched a $35 million research project with six universities, including Sheffield, to develop “insect robots” for repairing underground pipeline networks.
Professor Kirill Horoshenkov of the University of Sheffield and his team deployed numerous micro “insect” robots in underground pipelines, using sensors within the pipes to transmit detection information to the robots.
Inspired by micro pipeline robots, Rolls-Royce engineers developed micro robots used for aircraft engine repairs.They stated that if the inspection and repair work on aircraft engines were done manually, it might take five hours, but with these micro robots, the entire inspection and repair process could be completed in just five minutes.
▲ Currently available pipeline robots on the market
In February 2019, testing equipment supplier Eddyfi acquired semi-automated crawling system robot manufacturer Inuktun. Eddyfi’s CEO Martin Theriault stated that combining Inuktun’s robots with Eddyfi’s sensors and instruments could provide customized solutions for clients.
Although most current micro robot technologies focus on detection, there is a great potential for micro robots to be used for pipeline repairs.
Micro Motors Capable of Assembling Robots
MIT recently unveiled their latest development of a micro movable motor. This motor is simply a magnet and coil with some structural components, but it can walk back and forth or move the gears of more complex machines.
This micro movable motor and other micro core machines, if applied in broader robot designs, could make robot assembly more flexible, such as agricultural robots, disaster relief robots, or other types of robots.
Previously, they demonstrated that other core components could be assembled from similar basic elements. In the future, these micro core machines could automatically self-assemble into larger structures capable of performing specific tasks.
Conclusion:Micro Robots Can Help Humans Work Efficiently
Researchers are continuously developing micro robots that can adapt to more work environments, including specialized “insect” robots for pipeline maintenance, “bee” robots that can fly without electricity, and even micro motors capable of assembling any type of robot.
If these micro robots achieve mass production, they will be able to perform various tasks that humans are unwilling or unable to complete.
In more dangerous situations, such as conducting search and rescue operations, micro robots can reach environments that are difficult for humans to access, maximizing human safety while completing tasks more efficiently.
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