Meet the KUBeetle-S: an insect inspired robot that can fly for up to 9 minutes. It is inspired by Allomyrina dichotoma. The researchers developed a flapping-wing mechanism that can produce enough lift to take the bot off the ground. It weighs 15.8g and doesn’t consume a whole lot of power.
The researchers demonstrate that “a larger wing with less inboard wing area improves the lift-to-power ratio and produces a peak lift-to-weight ratio of 1.34 at 3.7 V application.” The KUBeetle-S can move in any direction and fly outdoors.
[Hoang Vu Phan, Steven Aurecianus, Thi Kim Loan Au, Taesam Kang, Hoon Cheol Park]