University of Washington News: The first wireless flying robotic insect takes off
05/15/2018

In May, 2018, University of Washington published a paper named Liftoff of a 190 mg Laser-Powered Aerial Vehicle: The Lightest Wireless Robot to Fly. The bio-inspired insect robot consists of a dual wing flapping design driven by two piezoelectric actuators. The full system capable of wireless takeoff begins with a laser source, which is provided by MHGP LSM-010 and delivers a constant source of power wirelessly to the robot. Then, a MHGP's VMJ photovoltaic cell converts the optical power to electrical power. The power provided by the laser is used to run the boost converter, driver, and microcontroller which produce sinusoidal voltage outputs capable of simultaneously driving the two piezo-electric actuators.

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UW NEWS - The first wireless flying robotic insect takes off
The Economist - The world’s lightest wireless flying machine lifts off

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