New pollinating robots fly 100 times longer

22.01.2025/01/30 XNUMX:XNUMX    326

When natural pollination is not possible, artificial technologies could be the key to growing plants. Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created innovative robotic bees that are more agile, durable and able to stay in the air for up to 17 minutes.

Each artificial bee weighs less than a paper clip and, thanks to the new design, can perform precise maneuvers. The basis of the design was four identical single-wing blocks arranged in the shape of a cross. This solution increased flight stability and increased lift. The use of soft actuators made of a material that includes elastomers and carbon nanotubes ensured efficient contraction and extension of the wings, which allows you to create mechanical force for flight.

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One of the key achievements was a miniature kinematic pair that connects the wing to the body: its length is 2 cm, and its diameter is only 200 microns. This engineering solution allowed to increase the accuracy and duration of flights, reaching speeds of 35 cm/s and performing complex maneuvers. According to Kevin Chen, head of the MIT laboratory, the new robots can generate three times more torque, which allows for flights 100 times longer than previous versions.

Advances in this area aren’t limited to MIT. Last year, German company Festo unveiled the BionicBee, a robotic bee that can fly in swarms and avoid collisions. Although it’s larger than its American counterpart (about the size of a pigeon and weighing 34 grams), these developments are a testament to the rapid development of robotics for agriculture.

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Robot bees open up new opportunities for plant pollination in regions with a shortage of natural insects, helping to solve food security problems in the face of climate change and declining pollinator populations.


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