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The World’s Smallest
Flying Microrobot
J
apan’s Seiko Epson Corporation
has developed what their research
suggests is the world’s smallest
“Micro Flying Robot”, or uFR.
The 8.9 gram machine was built
to demonstrate the micromechatronics technology that the company has
cultivated over the years.
It is also intended to allow development of component technology applications and explore the possibilities
for microrobots.
The uFR has the world’s highest
power-to-weight ratio (according to
Epson research) and includes a low
power consumption wireless module
(again, according to Epson, the lowest
in the world), mid-air control technology and a centre-of-mass movement
control achieved through a linear
actuator circuit.
Epson has developed and marketed a family of microrobots known
as the EMRoS Series, beginning with
the “Monsieur” model put on sale
in 1993 and currently listed in the
Guinness Book of Records as the
world’s smallest microrobot.
EMRoS stands for Epson Micro
Robot System. The series consists of
Monsieur (1 cm3 in volume; 1993);
Nino (0.5 cm3, 1994); Ricordo (1
44 Silicon Chip
cm3; equipped with a recording and
playback function; 1995); and Rubie
(1 cm3; equipped with a capricious
wandering function; 1995). All are
autonomous travelling robots that
chase a light source.
In April 2003 Epson developed
Monsieur II-P, a prototype microrobot which operates on an ultra-thin,
ultrasonic motor and a power-saving
Bluetooth module that allows multiple units to simultaneously remote
controlled.
Epson even put together a suite of
these robots to create the world’s smallest full-blown robot ballet theatre.
It might sound like a lot of fun but
Epson are playing a pioneering role
in research and development relating to microrobots and component
technology applications. Sales of the
EMRoS series have been discontinued
and there are no plans to produce or
market the new uFR.
How does it fly?
A pair of contra-rotating propellers
powered by an ultra-thin, ultrasonic
motor with the world’s highest powerweight ratio create the lift required.
These can be balanced in mid-air by
means of the world’s first stabilising
mechanism using a linear actuator.
Micromechatronics has been
brought together in high-density
mounting technology to minimise
the size and weight of the circuitry’s
control unit.
By developing the uFR, Epson has
demonstrated the possibility of expanding the activity range of microrobots from two-dimensional space
(the ground) to three-dimensional
Power supply:
3.5V
space (the air).
Power consumption:
3W
Epson intends to use the uFR to
Diameter:
About 130mm
feel
out the reactions of visitors,
Height:
About 70mm
discover and test problems related
Levitation power:
About 13 g/f
to microrobots and to further conTotal weight:
About 8.9 g
centrate its efforts on advancing
Wireless module/control units: About 2.5 g
its original micromechatronics
Sensors:
About 0.9 g
technology and cultivating applicaMechanism:
About 5.1 g
tions to meet future needs.
SC
General Specifications
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