Medical and Hospital News  
ROBO SPACE
Robotic spiders and bees: The rise of bioinspired microrobots
by Staff Writers
Manchester UK (SPX) Mar 06, 2018

illustration only

Jumping robot spiders and swarms of robotic bees sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but researchers at The University of Manchester are already working on such projects and aiming to lead the world in micro robotics.

But what will these kinds of robots be used for and is it something we should be worried? Dr Mostafa Nabawy is the Microsystems Research Theme Leader at The University of Manchester's School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. He is presenting some of his research, "Spiders Attack: The rise of bioinspired microrobots" at Manchester's Industry 4.0 Summit on Thursday 1 March.

Here Dr Nabawy explains why micro robots really aren't anything to worry about and, instead, could be the revolution in robotics that spearheads the next generation in manufacturing technology:

'For our robotic spiders research we are looking at a specific species of jumping spider called Phidippus regius. We have trained it to jump different distances and heights, recording the spider's every movement in extreme detail through high resolution cameras which can be slowed down.

'We are now using this bio-mechanical data to model robots that can perform with the same abilities. With this extensive dataset we have already started developing prototype robots that can mimic these biomechanical movements and jump several centimetres.'

Why jumping spiders you ask? Unlike humans, our spiders can jump up to six-times longer than their own body length from a standing start. In comparison, the maximum a human can jump is just one and half times. Dr Nabawy says if we can perfect the way spiders jump in robots they can be used for a variety of different purposes in complex engineering and manufacturing and can be deployed in unknown environments to execute different missions.

Dr Nabawy's research and background is in aerodynamics, aircraft design, and the modelling of engineering systems. But he is now combining this expertise with bio-inspired flying and jumping technologies, including flying robot bees.

He added: 'The ultimate aim is to create a robot bee that can fly independently and we're quite a long way into that project. But there are also many different opportunities for brilliant science and engineering outcomes along the way so it is a very exciting process.

'We're aiming to create the world's first robot bee that can fly unaided and unaccompanied. These technologies can also be used for many different applications, including improving the current aerodynamic performances of aircraft.

'Or, imagine if the current trend of a declining bee population continues, swarms of robot bees pollinating crops and flowers could become a reality. Whilst this may sound like something out of a transformers film this is our ultimate aim. But don't worry we are someway off swarms of flying mechanical bees and armies of mechanical spider robots.'

The Industry 4.0 summit is looking at the future of the manufacturing industry, but will also look at topics ranging from Brexit and the Northern Powerhouse to skills shortages, cyber-security and blue skies technology.


Related Links
University of Manchester
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


ROBO SPACE
Novel 3-D printing method embeds sensing capabilities within robotic actuators
Boston MA (SPX) Mar 06, 2018
Researchers at Harvard University have built soft robots inspired by nature that can crawl, swim, grasp delicate objects and even assist a beating heart, but none of these devices has been able to sense and respond to the world around them. That's about to change. Inspired by our bodies' sensory capabilities, researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a platform for creating ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

ROBO SPACE
White House to help arm school staff: officials

Rise of violent Buddhist rhetoric in Asia defies stereotypes

Court orders Japan government to pay new Fukushima damages

'Citizen scientists' track radiation seven years after Fukushima

ROBO SPACE
Indra Expands With Four New Stations The Ground Segment Managing Galileo Satellites

GMV leads a project for application of EGNOS to maritime safety

Why Russia is one step ahead of US Army's plans for future GPS

Europe claims 100 million users for Galileo satnav system

ROBO SPACE
Archaeologists detail origins of elongated heads among ancient Bavarians

Chimpanzees inspire more accurate computer-generated animal simulations

Theory-of-mind networks develop in the brains of children by age three

One-month worth of memory training results in 30 minutes

ROBO SPACE
Pretty polly or pests? Dutch in a flap over parakeets

Sumatran tiger kills Indonesian man

Hi-tech conservationists fight Indonesia wildlife crime

China plans panda park that will dwarf Yellowstone

ROBO SPACE
DARPA Names Researchers Working to Halt Outbreaks in 60 Days or Less

China confirms first human case of H7N4 bird flu

UV light can kill airborne flu virus, study finds

Playing 20 Questions with Bacteria to Distinguish Harmless Organisms from Pathogens

ROBO SPACE
China dragoons viewers to make pro-Xi film a blockbuster

With little suspense, Xi to secure lifetime presidency

Blow for Hong Kong democrats in key elections

In China, an eye-roll goes viral, censors put a lid on it

ROBO SPACE
Spain arrests 155 over Chinese human trafficking ring

Off West Africa, navies team up in fight against piracy

India seeks custody of fugitive arrested in Hong Kong

Vietnam cops seize $2.5 mn heroin in China border drug bust

ROBO SPACE








The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.