Aiming to lead the world in micro-robotics, researchers at the University of Manchester are working on projects like Jumping spiders and flying bees- sounds like the stuff of science fiction.
Dr. Mostafa Nabawy is the Microsystems Research Theme Leader at The University of Manchester’s School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, questioned about the applications of this kind of robots.
He is presenting some of his research, “Spiders Attack: The rise of bioinspired microrobots,” at Manchester’s Industry 4.0 Summit on Thursday, 1 March.
In this research, Dr. Nabawy explains why micro-robots really aren’t anything to worry about and, instead, could be the revolution in robotics that spearheads the next generation in manufacturing technology.
He stated here, “For our robotic spider’s research, we are looking at a specific species of jumping spider called Phidippus regius. We have trained it to jump different distances and heights, recording the spider’s every movement in extreme detail through high-resolution cameras, which can be slowed down.”
“We are now using this biomechanical data to model robots that can perform with the same abilities. With this extensive dataset, we have already started developing prototype robots that can mimic these biomechanical movements and jump several centimeters.”
They selected this jumping spider since, unlike humans, these spiders can jump up to six times longer than their own body length from a standing start. In comparison, the maximum a human can jump is just one and a half times.
Dr. Nabawy says if we can perfect the way spiders jump in robots, they can be utilized for a variety of different purposes in complex engineering and manufacturing and can be deployed in unknown environments to execute different missions.
Dr. Nabawy’s research and background is in aerodynamics, aircraft design, and the modeling of engineering systems. But he is now combining this expertise with bio-inspired flying and jumping technologies, including flying robot bees.
He added, “The ultimate aim is to create a robot bee that can fly independently, and we’re quite a long way into that project. But there are also many different opportunities for brilliant science and engineering outcomes along the way so it is a very exciting process.”
“We’re aiming to create the world’s first robot bee that can fly unaided and unaccompanied. These technologies can also be used for many different applications, including improving the current aerodynamic performances of aircraft.”
“Or, imagine if the current trend of a declining bee population continues, swarms of robot bees pollinating crops and flowers could become a reality. Whilst this may sound like something out of a Transformers film this is our ultimate aim. But don’t worry we are some way off swarms of flying mechanical bees and armies of mechanical spider robots.”