If one day swarms of tiny robots will never be used for purposes like pollinate flowers or exploring disaster sites, they will need to have good stamina. A robot created at Switzerland's EPFL research institute seems to fit in quite a bit, as it can even withstand blows from a fly swatter.
Weighing less than a gram, the insect-like robot moves through artificial muscles known as actuators “integrated dielectric elastomer” or DEA. Hence its name, DEAnsect.
Each of its three silicone legs contains a DEA, which in turn consists of an elastomer membrane sandwiched between two soft electrodes. When a low-voltage current is applied, the electrodes are attracted towards each other, compressing the membrane. Once the current is stopped they move apart, allowing the membrane to expand to its original thickness.
Turning on and off occurs over 400 times per second, causing the DEAsects to vibrate forward at a rate of 3 cm (1,2 inches) per second.
There are currently two versions of the device. The first is wired to an external power and control system. This is the robot insect that can be crushed by a fly swatter or crushed by a shoe, and continue on its way undaunted.
The second version is independent, with integrated battery and microcontroller. Using the built-in “eyes” it is able to autonomously track and follow the black and white patterns printed on the ground.
Its creators are now working on a system that would allow multiple DEAnsects to communicate with each other, so that they can coordinate their movements. In short, a robotic swarm.
The research also involved scientists from the French University of Cergy-Pontoise. It was featured in an article recently published in the scientific journal Science Robotics.
Here are some DEAnsect in action in this video.
Source: EPFL
