MIT researchers have been working on tiny robotic insects that could revolutionize agriculture by assisting with pollination, particularly as natural bee populations decline due to factors like pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change.
These robotic bees are engineered to mimic the behavior of real bees, using advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to navigate and locate flowers with precision. They’re lightweight (often less than a gram) and capable of sustained flight, with some models hovering for over 1,000 seconds (more than 16 minutes), a significant leap from earlier designs.
The robots feature flapping wings powered by artificial muscles made from materials like elastomers and carbon nanotubes, allowing them to perform complex maneuvers like flips and precise path following. This agility and endurance make them promising candidates for pollinating crops in controlled environments, such as greenhouses or vertical farms, where natural pollinators might struggle.
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