Slightly heavier than a toothpick, the first wireless insect-size robot takes flight
Engineers from the University of Washington have created the first wireless insect-size robot, powered by a laser beam.
Until now, robotic flying insects were hard-wired to an external power source because the electronics needed to power and control their wings were much too heavy.
The engineers say these robo-insects are cheap to produce and can slip into tight spaces, enabling them to handle tasks the large aerial drones can't.
Imagine an insect that can alight along a pipeline to sniff out gas leaks, swoop beneath plants to detect pests and disease, and slip into tiny spaces to find disaster survivors. Now imagine holding a laser that can control its every move.
With the rapid advances in drone technology spanning the 20th century, it should come as no surprise that miniature flying robots are on the horizon: Between now and 2020, Goldman Sachs' forecasts a $100 billion market opportunity for drones, helped by growing demand from the commercial and civil government sectors.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/02/about-the-weight-of-a-toothpick-first-wireless-robo-insect-takes-off.html
沒有留言:
發佈留言