Like a bumblebee flitting from flower to flower, a new insect-inspired flying robot created by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, can hover, change trajectory and even hit small targets. Less than 1 centimeter in diameter, the device weighs only 21 milligrams, making it the world's smallest wireless robot capable of controlled flight.

The robot is shaped like a small propeller and includes two small magnets. Under the influence of an external magnetic field, these magnets are attracted and repelled, causing the propeller to spin and generating enough lift to raise the robot off the ground. The flight path of the robot can be precisely controlled by modulating the strength of the magnetic field.

  • kitnaht@lemmy.world
    0·
    17 days ago

    nah. That external magnetic field should be counting as the robot as well, because it can’t operate without it.