University of Washington

Humans, for most of their existence, have not had a proper understanding of nature or species other than their own. In a similar sense, the discipline of robotics is a relatively modern practice, and as such, we’re just scratching the surface of its possibilities. These two studies have met and been developed together in the Autonomous Insect Robotics Laboratory (AIR Lab) at the University of Washington, where a team of researchers uses their knowledge and appreciation of small flying insects and applies it to new, revolutionary robotic technology.

The possible applications of this new technology are fascinating and vast, as the concept itself is so novel. Due to their low energy needs, these robots can function using multiple energy sources, allowing them to perform their operations in a multitude of situations and scenarios. Additionally, their small size and low average mass mean they are very safe to use around people, making them suitable for data collection, space exploration. Interestingly, these robots have also been found to act like low-altitude weather balloons, allowing them to also monitor air quality, identify early signs of disease in vegetation, and detect hazardous gases.

The lab has also had past success in some experiments, most notably the “Smellicopter”. Under the leadership of Professor Sawyer B. Fuller, the AIM lab created a bio-hybrid drone that utilizes a live moth antenna to detect odors and smells. In other words, they created a drone that utilizes both a camera small enough to be placed on a live insect and an actual insect to collect data and make observations. The results of these experiments have been so influential and head-turning that large media outlets like CNN, NPR, and BBC have reported on the lab’s findings.

While people are still striving to understand robots, and even in some instances nature, researchers constantly strive to close the gap. In their constant pursuit of advancing autonomous insect robots, the AIM Lab at UWash is doing just that. By merging both the conventional knowledge of insects and new research on robotics, the lab is producing revolutionary innovations that may very well fundamentally change the future.

By:Arjun Desai