The robot’s design is inspired by the seed of dandelion, resembling several biomimetic features, i.e., high porosity, lightweight, and separated vortex ring generation under a steady wind flow.
“Superior to its natural counterparts, this artificial seed is equipped with a soft actuator,” said Dr. Hao Zeng, a researcher at Tampere University and a member of the Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly (FAIRY) project.
“The actuator is made of light-responsive liquid crystalline elastomer, which induces opening or closing actions of the bristles upon visible light excitation.”
The tiny robot developed by Dr. Zeng an colleagues has several biomimetic features.
Because of its high porosity (0.95) and lightweight (1.2 mg) structure, it can easily float in the air directed by the wind.
What is more, a stable separated vortex ring generation enables long-distance wind-assisted traveling.
“The robot can be powered and controlled by a light source, such as a laser beam or LED,” Dr. Zeng said.
“This means that light can be used to change the shape of the tiny dandelion seed-like structure.”
“The robot can adapt manually to wind direction and force by changing its shape.”
“A light beam can also be used to control the take-off and landing actions of the polymer assembly.”
The researchers now plan to improve the material sensitivity and enable the operation of the device in sunlight.
In addition, they want to up-scale the structure so that it can carry micro-electronic devices such as GPS and sensors as well as biochemical compounds.
“There is potential for even more significant applications,” Dr. Zeng said.
“It sounds like science fiction, but the proof-of-concept experiments included in our research show that the robot we have developed provides an important step towards realistic applications suitable for artificial…
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