Its a vision that Harvards Microrobotics Laboratoryhas been working on for years.
Until recently, the only landing the Harvard RoboBee had mastered was a crash landing.
The update also included an improved controller (the robots brain) to decelerate the tiny robots landing approach.
Researchers have upgraded the RoboBee with a pair of crane fly legs to stick the landing.© Harvard
The combination now results in a gentle plop-down, as described in the statement.
Its a problem appropriately called ground effect that helicopters also experience.
Hyun led the RoboBees landing tests on both solid surfaces and a leaf, just like a real insect.
A penny, an older version of the RoboBee, the current RoboBee, and a crane fly. © Harvard
Compliant legs aid in protecting the delicate piezoelectric actuators from collision-induced fractures during crash landings.
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Researchers tested the RoboBee’s ability to land on a leaf. © Harvard
