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A wireless controlled robotic insect with ultrafast untethered running speeds

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiwei Liu

    (Beihang University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Aero-Engine
    National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics
    Beihang University)

  • Wencheng Zhan

    (Beihang University
    Beijing Key Laboratory of Aero-Engine Structure and Strength)

  • Xinyi Liu

    (Beihang University)

  • Yangsheng Zhu

    (Beihang University)

  • Mingjing Qi

    (Beihang University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Aero-Engine
    National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics
    Beihang University)

  • Jiaming Leng

    (Beihang University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Aero-Engine
    National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics
    Beihang University)

  • Lizhao Wei

    (Beihang University)

  • Shousheng Han

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Xiaoming Wu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Xiaojun Yan

    (Beihang University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Aero-Engine
    National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics
    Beihang University)

Abstract

Running speed degradation of insect-scale (less than 5 cm) legged microrobots after carrying payloads has become a bottleneck for microrobots to achieve high untethered locomotion performance. In this work, we present a 2-cm legged microrobot (BHMbot, BeiHang Microrobot) with ultrafast untethered running speeds, which is facilitated by the complementary combination of bouncing length and bouncing frequency in the microrobot’s running gait. The untethered BHMbot (2-cm-long, 1760 mg) can achieve a running speed of 17.5 BL s−1 and a turning centripetal acceleration of 65.4 BL s−2 at a Cost of Transport of 303.7 and a power consumption of 1.77 W. By controlling its two front legs independently, the BHMbot demonstrates various locomotion trajectories including circles, rectangles, letters and irregular paths across obstacles through a wireless control module. Such advancements enable the BHMbot to carry out application attempts including sound signal detection, locomotion inside a turbofan engine and transportation via a quadrotor.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiwei Liu & Wencheng Zhan & Xinyi Liu & Yangsheng Zhu & Mingjing Qi & Jiaming Leng & Lizhao Wei & Shousheng Han & Xiaoming Wu & Xiaojun Yan, 2024. "A wireless controlled robotic insect with ultrafast untethered running speeds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47812-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47812-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alan M. Wilson & Tatjana Y. Hubel & Simon D. Wilshin & John C. Lowe & Maja Lorenc & Oliver P. Dewhirst & Hattie L. A. Bartlam-Brooks & Rebecca Diack & Emily Bennitt & Krystyna A. Golabek & Roger C. Wo, 2018. "Biomechanics of predator–prey arms race in lion, zebra, cheetah and impala," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7691), pages 183-188, February.
    2. Guoyong Mao & David Schiller & Doris Danninger & Bekele Hailegnaw & Florian Hartmann & Thomas Stockinger & Michael Drack & Nikita Arnold & Martin Kaltenbrunner, 2022. "Ultrafast small-scale soft electromagnetic robots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Jessica M.C. Pearce-Duvet & Coen P.H. Elemans & Donald H. Feener, 2011. "Walking the line: search behavior and foraging success in ant species," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 22(3), pages 501-509.
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