Miniature mechanized pollinators: A breakthrough by MIT scientists
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. They are intended to assist with the mechanical pollination of fruits and vegetables.
Until now, robotic bees or bumblebees have existed only in our imagination. However, scientists from MIT in Cambridge, USA, have managed to create a new type of flying robot. They have developed miniature drones that may one day assist farmers in mechanized hives, precisely performing the duties of pollinators. While these devices are still far from achieving the perfection needed to match real 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, the 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
Their latest version of the miniature flying robot surpasses previous prototypes in agility and durability. These small devices, which weigh 0.17 grams—less than a paper clip—demonstrate more complex movements such as aerial acrobatics, made possible by minimizing the mechanical load on the wings. They can also move in water. Thanks to the new design, they can now perform flights lasting over 17 minutes of continuous activity, which is over 100 times longer than previously achieved.
Precision wing hinges provide more possibilities
The new design of robotic insects leaves more room for mounting small batteries or 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 leads to 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, plans to continue improving the robot—as reported on the MIT website. With the full team, Chen intends to explore the potential of the new design further, striving to extend flight time to over 2 hours and 45 minutes. The team is also focusing on the possibility of equipping 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.
