Many small drone devices are in development with one main problem: most cannot operate without fixed wiring, until now.
This new innovation, RoboFly, can help with small area surveillance unlike the previous competitors. Smaller drones have developed, but are unable to operate without fixed wiring or affiliate technology. The new wireless innovation leaves RoboFly’s competitors scrambling to adapt to this new technology.
The RoboFly was developed at the University of Washington, with the mechanical engineers saying the hardest component was creating a power source for to generate the power needed for flight. The flapping of the wings needs a lot of energy to operate long enough to retrieve the RoboFly before the power depletes.
Many previous versions of this technology worked but would have to make a bigger unit, defeating the purpose of small surveillance devices. The team behind RoboFly replaced the power cord with a laser beam, that constantly feeds energy to the robot from far distances.
RoboFly runs on a solar cell that converts light to electricity through the laser beam. This allows the technology 240 volts of electricity, being enough to achieve flight. There is also a microcontroller on the circuit of the flying robot, controlling the various speeds needed for the wings to flap.
The RoboFly can only take off and fly for now, while developing better navigation capabilities. The power source needed for the laser beam to transmit energy is in development to make a more portable power source, to give RoboFly more mobility.
The main obstacle being the weight of the insect, the power storage unit is compromising the laser technology. The researchers behind RoboFly hope they can create a smaller power storage option, giving them the possible future option of having better laser capabilities.
The researchers hope that this innovation can give more innovations for small flying robots or drones. Check out the video above to learn more about Robofly.
