Solar-powered Robobee flies without a tether

We’ve been following the exploits of Harvard’s tiny Robobee for a few years now, from its first controlled flight, then learning to swim and perch, and rising out of the water with style. Until recently, it’s been powered via a wire tether, but researchers have cut the cord by installing teeny solar panels on the little robotic insect.

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Tau.Neutrino said:

Solar-powered Robobee flies without a tether

We’ve been following the exploits of Harvard’s tiny Robobee for a few years now, from its first controlled flight, then learning to swim and perch, and rising out of the water with style. Until recently, it’s been powered via a wire tether, but researchers have cut the cord by installing teeny solar panels on the little robotic insect.

more…

The change from two to four wings, along with less-visible changes to the actuator and transmission ratio, made the vehicle more efficient, gave it more lift, and allowed us to put everything we need on board without using more power

The smallest commercially-available solar panels – weighing just 10 mg – are reported unable to harvest enough energy from sunlight to enable tether-free flight, so the researchers simulated the equivalent of about three Suns using halogen lights.

It’s not the first tiny robot to fly untethered, but it is reported to be the lightest.