MIT researchers have created tiny flying robots that can mimic the agility of real insects, enabling them to navigate through tight spaces and dodge obstacles with ease. The robots’ new AI-powered controller allows them to fly faster and more precisely than previous models, making them suitable for search operations after natural disasters.
The researchers used a two-step control scheme, combining high-performance planning with computational efficiency, to achieve significant improvements in speed and acceleration. This enabled the robot to complete 10 consecutive somersaults in just 11 seconds, even when wind disturbances threatened to disrupt its flight.
The tiny robots use artificial muscles that flap their wings at an extremely fast rate, allowing for agile movements. The AI controller was designed to account for uncertainty and perform complex optimizations quickly, making it suitable for real-time deployment.
This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize search operations after natural disasters, enabling rescue teams to reach trapped survivors more efficiently. The researchers plan to add sensors and cameras to the robots to enable them to fly outdoors without being attached to a motion capture system, paving the way for future applications in micro-robotics.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-design-aerial-microrobot-fly-like-bumblebee-1203