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A wireless controlled robotic insect with ultrafast untethered running speeds
Zhiwei Liu1,2,3,4, Wencheng Zhan1,5, Xinyi Liu1
1School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
Nature Communications
|May 8, 2024
Summary
This study introduces the BeiHang Microrobot (BHMbot), a 2-cm legged microrobot achieving ultrafast running speeds. Its novel gait design overcomes payload limitations for enhanced microrobot locomotion performance.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Micro-robotics
- Locomotion
Background:
- Insect-scale microrobots face speed degradation when carrying payloads, limiting untethered locomotion.
- Existing microrobot designs struggle to maintain performance under load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microrobot capable of high-speed untethered locomotion, even with payloads.
- To investigate a novel gait strategy for improved microrobot performance.
Main Methods:
- Designed and built the BeiHang Microrobot (BHMbot), a 2-cm legged microrobot.
- Implemented a running gait combining bouncing length and frequency.
- Utilized independent control of front legs and a wireless control module.
Main Results:
- Achieved untethered running speeds of 17.5 BL/s and turning centripetal acceleration of 65.4 BL/s².
- Demonstrated versatile locomotion trajectories (circles, rectangles, letters, irregular paths) across obstacles.
- Showcased potential applications including sound detection and operation within a turbofan engine.
Conclusions:
- The BHMbot's gait strategy effectively overcomes payload-induced speed degradation.
- This advancement enables high-performance untethered microrobot locomotion for diverse applications.
- The BHMbot represents a significant step towards practical microrobotic systems.
