A team of researchers and innovators over at Washington State University have developed a high-tech miniature robot that is inspired by bees, and is capable of taking one of the challenges that has most vexed the designers of high-tech robotic insects, namely the control of yaw axes.
The yaw axis, which concerns the lateral movement of the front of the robot relative to its vertical axis, has long proven to be challenging to control when it comes to smaller drones. However, this particular bee-inspired miniature robot makes use of a quadrant of carbon fiber wings that each have their own actuators. By allowing the front pair of wings to move at a different frequency to the rear wings, the miniature robot's pitch can be controlled, while side-to-side control can be established by applying the actuator in a different manner to the left and right wings.
Dubbed the 'Bee++,' this miniature drone could be incredibly useful for all kinds of applications that concern extremely tight and compact spaces, ranging from reconnaissance to monitoring.
Multidirectional Miniature Robots
This Robotic Bee Can Infiltrate Highly Compact Spaces
Trend Themes
1. Miniature Robotic Bees - Developing smaller and more agile bee-inspired robots has the potential to solve challenges in tight and compact spaces.
2. Yaw Axis Control - The development of precise and efficient yaw axis control for miniature drones can enable a wider range of applications in various industries.
3. Carbon Fiber Wings - Incorporating carbon fiber wings and actuators into small drones can enhance their maneuverability and versatility.
Industry Implications
1. Surveillance - Using miniature bee-inspired drones can enable more discreet and efficient surveillance in security-related industries.
2. Construction - Miniature drones with precise yaw axis control can assist in monitoring and inspecting tight and confined spaces in the construction industry.
3. Agriculture - Utilizing smaller agile drones with carbon fiber wings can provide farmers with more comprehensive data on crops and soil quality.