Unbreakable Tiny Robots Continue Flying Effortlessly Despite Wing Damage
Introduction:
MIT researchers have developed resilient artificial muscles that enable insect-scale aerial robots to recover flight performance after experiencing severe damage. Inspired by the hardiness of bumblebees, the researchers developed repair techniques that allow a bug-sized aerial robot to sustain damage to its actuators, or artificial muscles, and still fly effectively. The team optimized the artificial muscles to isolate defects and overcome minor damage, as well as demonstrated a novel laser repair method for recovering from severe damage. The repair methods enabled a damaged robot to maintain flight-level performance even after 20% of its wing tip was cut off. These techniques make tiny robots more robust, allowing them to perform tasks in tough environments and potentially navigate through collapsing buildings or dense forests. The researchers are now working on teaching the robots new functions, such as landing on flowers or flying in swarms, and developing new control algorithms to improve their flight capabilities.
Full Article: Unbreakable Tiny Robots Continue Flying Effortlessly Despite Wing Damage
Title: MIT Develops Resilient Artificial Muscles for Insect-Scale Aerial Robots
Subtitle: Innovative Repair Techniques Enable Robots to Sustain Severe Damage and Continue Flying
Introduction:
MIT researchers have made significant progress in developing resilient artificial muscles for insect-scale aerial robots. Taking inspiration from the hardiness of bumblebees, these researchers have optimized the artificial muscles so that the robots can withstand severe damage and still maintain flight performance. Their innovative repair techniques, including a novel laser repair method, could revolutionize the capabilities of tiny robots, enabling them to perform tasks in challenging environments such as search missions in collapsing buildings or dense forests.
Optimizing Artificial Muscles for Resilience:
Bumblebees possess the ability to fly despite having many tiny rips and holes in their wings. In contrast, aerial robots are much less resilient. To address this, MIT researchers optimized the artificial muscles, known as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), that power the wings of bug-sized aerial robots. By improving self-clearing, a process that isolates local electrode failures, the researchers ensured that the robot could continue functioning effectively even after sustaining minor damage like tiny holes in the actuator.
Novel Laser Repair Method:
The MIT team also developed a laser repair method to handle more severe damage. By carefully cutting along the outer contours of a large defect with a laser, they caused minor damage around the perimeter, which can be cleared using the self-clearing process. This surgical approach allows the researchers to isolate and repair major defects without causing irreversible damage to the actuator. Electroluminescent particles were incorporated into the actuator to aid in observing successful isolation of defects.
Flight Test Success:
The researchers conducted flight tests with damaged actuators, including those jabbed by needles and others with burned holes. The robot retained its flight performance, with minimal deviations from an undamaged robot in terms of altitude, position, and attitude errors. Using laser surgery, an actuator that would have been irreparably broken recovered 87% of its performance.
Future Directions:
With these repair techniques, the tiny aerial robots become significantly more robust. The MIT team intends to train them for new functions such as landing on flowers or flying in swarms. They are also developing control algorithms to enhance flight maneuverability, enabling the robots to control their yaw angle and carry tiny circuits. The long-term goal is for the robots to carry their own power sources.
Impact and Conclusion:
The resilience achieved by the MIT researchers’ repair techniques offers great potential for small flying robots operating in challenging environments. Insect-scale aerial robots, as well as flying insects themselves, constantly collide with their surroundings. Enhanced resilience is crucial for their successful navigation. The paper has demonstrated a breakthrough in developing artificial muscles with insect-like resilience, showing promise for future use of robots in natural environments.
Reference:
Zewe, A. (2019, October 9). MIT develops resilient artificial muscles for insect-scale aerial robots. Retrieved from [insert source here]
Summary: Unbreakable Tiny Robots Continue Flying Effortlessly Despite Wing Damage
Researchers at MIT have developed artificial muscles for insect-scale aerial robots that enable them to recover flight performance even after suffering severe damage. Inspired by the resilience of bumblebees, the researchers optimised the artificial muscles to better isolate defects and overcome minor damage. They also developed a laser repair method that can help the robot recover from severe damage. Using these repair techniques, a damaged robot could maintain flight-level performance after sustaining damage to the actuators. This development could lead to swarms of tiny robots performing tasks in tough environments, such as search missions in collapsing buildings or dense forests.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: How does robotics work?
A1: Robotics is a field of technology that involves the design, creation, and programming of machines or robots that can perform tasks autonomously or under human control. These robots are equipped with sensors, power sources, and actuators to interact with their environment and carry out specific actions. They can be programmed to follow a set of instructions or learn from experience through artificial intelligence algorithms.
Q2: What are the different types of robots?
A2: There are various types of robots categorized based on their applications and capabilities. Some common types include industrial robots used in manufacturing processes, medical robots assisting in surgeries or patient care, service robots performing tasks in domestic or commercial settings, and autonomous robots used in research, exploration, or military applications. Additionally, there are humanoid and social robots designed to interact and communicate with humans.
Q3: What is the importance of robotics in today’s world?
A3: Robotics plays a crucial role in numerous fields, bringing several benefits to society. It enhances productivity and efficiency in industrial processes, allowing precise and repetitive tasks to be performed more accurately and quickly. In the medical field, robots assist surgeons in complex surgeries, leading to improved precision and fewer complications. They also aid in exploring hazardous environments, undertaking rescue missions, or performing tasks that are too dangerous or impractical for humans. Furthermore, robots are increasingly used in education and research to foster innovation and provide hands-on learning opportunities.
Q4: What skills are required to work in robotics?
A4: Working in robotics typically requires a combination of technical skills from various disciplines. Proficiency in programming and coding is essential, often using languages such as Python or C++. Additionally, knowledge of electronics, mechanics, and control systems is beneficial to design and build robotic systems. Familiarity with artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computer vision can also be advantageous in creating intelligent and adaptable robots. Moreover, excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills are crucial for successful robotics careers.
Q5: What are the ethical considerations associated with robotics?
A5: As robotics continues to advance, ethical considerations arise regarding their impact on society. One major concern is the potential displacement of human workers due to increased automation. This raises questions about job security and the need to retrain the workforce for new roles. Additionally, there are concerns about privacy and data security as robots become more integrated into our daily lives. Ethical debates exist around the use of robots in warfare and the potential for autonomous robots to make life and death decisions. It is crucial to address these ethical considerations and ensure that robotics technologies are developed and used responsibly.
