Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have made a significant breakthrough in the field of robotics with the development of a robotic bee capable of flying in all directions. Led by Néstor O. Pérez-Arancibia, Flaherty associate professor in WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, the team has successfully designed and built the Bee++ prototype, which exhibits stable flight in six degrees of freedom. This achievement opens up possibilities for various applications, ranging from artificial pollination to search and rescue operations in confined spaces. The team’s findings were published in the prestigious journal IEEE Transactions on Robotics, and Pérez-Arancibia will present their results at the upcoming IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
Unleashing the Potential of Artificial Insects:
For over three decades, researchers have been striving to develop artificial flying insects. The potential applications of such technology are vast, including artificial pollination, biological research, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue missions in challenging environments. However, mimicking the flight capabilities of real insects proved to be a formidable challenge.
Achieving Stability in Flight:
The initial attempts at creating a robotic bee resulted in limited movement capabilities. In 2019, Pérez-Arancibia and his PhD students made a breakthrough by constructing a four-winged robot that was light enough to take off. To enable controlled pitching and rolling maneuvers, the researchers implemented different wing-flapping patterns for the front and back wings, as well as the right and left wings. This approach generated torque, allowing the robot to rotate around its two main horizontal axes.
Mastering the Art of Yaw:
Controlling the complex yaw motion, which involves twisting, was a critical aspect that required innovation. Without effective yaw control, the robots would spin uncontrollably, rendering them unable to navigate towards specific targets. This limitation necessitated a combination of robotic design and advanced control systems. Inspired by natural insects, the researchers adjusted the wing-flapping motion to create an angled plane of movement. Additionally, the team increased the wing-flapping frequency from 100 to 160 times per second.
The Importance of Full Maneuverability:
Attaining all six degrees of freedom is of paramount importance for successful evasive maneuvers and object tracking. Pérez-Arancibia emphasized the difficulty of achieving controlled yaw, which had long been a theoretical challenge due to limitations in actuation capabilities. The team’s innovative design and controller development overcame these hurdles, providing the robotic bee with precise yaw control and stable flight.
Characteristics and Future Directions:
Weighing 95 mg and boasting a wingspan of 33 millimeters, the Bee++ prototype is larger than real bees, which typically weigh around 10 milligrams. However, the robotic bee’s flight autonomy is limited to approximately five minutes, requiring it to be tethered to a power source through a cable. To further expand their robotic insect repertoire, the researchers are also working on the development of crawlers and water striders.
Collaborative Research and Funding:
The article, co-authored by Pérez-Arancibia’s former PhD students at the University of Southern California, Ryan M. Bena, Xiufeng Yang, and Ariel A. Calderón, was made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation and DARPA. Additionally, support was provided by the WSU Foundation and the Palouse Club through WSU’s Cougar Cage program.
Conclusion:
The groundbreaking work of the Washington State University research team has led to the successful creation of a fully maneuverable robotic bee. By mimicking the flight capabilities of real insects and integrating advanced control systems, the Bee++ prototype achieves stability in all directions, including precise yaw control. This achievement paves the way for a wide range of applications, from artificial pollination to vital search and rescue missions, marking a significant advancement in the field of robotics.
