Controlled flight of a biologically inspired, insect-scale robot

Science. 2013 May 3;340(6132):603-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1231806.

Abstract

Flies are among the most agile flying creatures on Earth. To mimic this aerial prowess in a similarly sized robot requires tiny, high-efficiency mechanical components that pose miniaturization challenges governed by force-scaling laws, suggesting unconventional solutions for propulsion, actuation, and manufacturing. To this end, we developed high-power-density piezoelectric flight muscles and a manufacturing methodology capable of rapidly prototyping articulated, flexure-based sub-millimeter mechanisms. We built an 80-milligram, insect-scale, flapping-wing robot modeled loosely on the morphology of flies. Using a modular approach to flight control that relies on limited information about the robot's dynamics, we demonstrated tethered but unconstrained stable hovering and basic controlled flight maneuvers. The result validates a sufficient suite of innovations for achieving artificial, insect-like flight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biomimetic Materials*
  • Diptera* / anatomy & histology
  • Diptera* / physiology
  • Drosophila / anatomy & histology
  • Drosophila / physiology
  • Flight, Animal*
  • Miniaturization
  • Muscles / physiology
  • Robotics*
  • Wings, Animal / anatomy & histology
  • Wings, Animal / physiology