The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has created robotic insects. They can fly for more than 15 minutes at a time, and only weigh less then a gram.
But how was it created, and why were these robots even created in the first place?
Creation
The goal was to make a robot that could fly and pollinate. It had to be fast and efficient, but also precise and enduring.
So, they took inspiration from nature for the solution. The bee!
Researchers took aspects of the bee and tried to recreate it as a robot. The wings are flexable and durable, and flap similarly to a bee.
The Experiment
Now, it was time to launch the insect.
This flight was an impressive one. Control was easier and the insect could fly at 35 cm/s.
“At the end of the day, we’ve shown flight that is 100 times longer than anyone else in the field has been able to do, so this is an extremely exciting result,” -Kevin Chen, the paper’s senior author, as well as MIT’s Department of EECS associcate professor.
It was a record breaking experiment. The robot was miles better than any other.
At the same time, there could be improvements. When you look at actual bees, they’re a lot faster, and their wings are more precise. The research team hopes to improve in these aspects.
But Why?
Pollinators, specifically bees, have been facing a scary decline in population. This is due to factors like climate change. 20 years ago, there were around a third more species of bees than today.
We rely on insects like bees because of their pollination abilities. But, what if a robot could do it?
That’s exactly why MIT has created these bee-like insects.
This also opens the doors for farms that are entirely indoors. Imagine a multi-floor farm that’s more environmentally friendly than an average farm.
Conclusion
Inventions like these may seem pointless or strange, but they have a purpose. They unlock new fields, like how the robot insect made indoor farming a reality.
RELATED STORIES:
- https://news.mit.edu/2025/fast-agile-robotic-insect-could-someday-aid-mechanical-pollination-0115
- https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/robobees-autonomous-flying-microrobots/
- https://thedebrief.org/mit-unveils-new-robot-insect-paving-the-way-toward-the-rise-of-robotic-pollinators/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250115165102.htm
- https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/01/18/LOSGOQ4B7BG5XJLPETEZKXF244/
TAKE ACTION:
- Check out MIT: https://web.mit.edu/
