# Untethered Robotic Insects The 'RoboFly' is Powered By Laser-Derived Electric Power By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2018-05-21 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/untethered-robotic-insect References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/robofly-tetherless-flying-insect-robot/54621/) & [washington.edu](http://www.washington.edu/news/2018/05/15/robofly/) A group of engineers and designers behind the famed 'RoboBee' robotic bee have now gone ahead and developed a brand new robotic insect dubbed 'RoboFly,' that is unique in that it is capable of flying without the need for a tether. The RoboFly robotic insect does this thanks to a [laser-powered mechanism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photon-matrix) in which a laser is focused on a special photovoltaic cell situated atop the robot. The energy from the laser light is then converted to electric power, which the robot's circuit uses to power its [wing-flapping motion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsmall-drone). While the current iteration of the RoboFly can take off and land, future versions will be able to fly whilst receiving continuous laser power. This [compact and eco-friendly flying robot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bamboo-drone) could offer a wide variety of applications in industrial settings, and could be used to detect pipe leaks or delve into heavy pipelines and machinery in search of defects. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 53% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/robots) ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Power-Beaming Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system.md) - [Bird-Diverting Robotic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-system.md) - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [Wind-Powered Flying Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-flying-car.md) - [Hybrid Movement Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leo-robot.md) - [Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falcon-horizon.md) - [Laser-Powered Mosquito Zappers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photon-matrix.md)