Scientists are developing a new type of programming that will allow tiny robots to think and act like insects, making them more autonomous and adaptable to complex environments.
Researchers at Cornell University in the US collaborated with the Harvard Microbiotics laboratory, which has developed an 80-milligramme flying robot named RoboBee outfitted with a number of vision, optical flow and motion sensors.
Although the robot currently remains tethered to a power source, the Harvard researchers are developing new power sources to eliminate the restraint.
The Cornell algorithms will help make RoboBee more autonomous and adaptable to complex environments without significantly increasing its weight.
“Getting hit by a gust of wind or a swinging door would cause these small robots to lose control. We are developing sensors and algorithms to allow RoboBee to avoid the crash, or if crashing, survive and still fly,” said Silvia Ferrari, professor at Cornell University.
It would take the processing power of a desktop-sized computer for a robot to sense a gust of wind, using tiny hair-like metal probes imbedded on its wings, adjust and plan its flight as it attempts to land on a swaying flower, researchers said.