The “fairy-robot” developed by scientists at the University of Tampere in Finland is a polymer-assembled robot that uses the energy of light and wind to fly. It has two wings with ultra-fine bristles and an actuator that converts light energy into kinetic energy. When illuminated with a light, the actuator moves the robot’s wings, allowing it to change direction or control its takeoff and landing. The researchers hope to improve the robot’s sensitivity so that it can function in sunlight, and they hope that in the future it can act as an artificial dandelion seed loaded with pollen and aimed at plants that need it. The utility of these robots would be to help reduce the loss of pollinators due to human activity, which would have a positive impact on agriculture worldwide.
The fairy-robot is a robot that could have a great impact on agriculture worldwide, since its main objective is to help reduce the consequences of the loss of pollinators due to global warming, which has become a serious threat to the biodiversity and food production. This robot is light controlled, so it can be powered and controlled by a light source, such as a laser beam or an LED.
In addition, the fairy-robot is very light and its design allows it to be picked up by a gust of wind and easily float through the air. Its actuator, which is made of a light-sensitive liquid crystalline elastomer, allows control of its direction of flight and take-off and landing.
The researchers now hope to improve the robot’s sensitivity so that it can work with sunlight, as well as a laser or an LED, and that in the future, the robot can act as an artificial dandelion seed, loaded with pollen and directed towards the plants that need it.
In summary, the fairy-robot can be an innovative solution to pollinator loss, and is an important step towards realistic applications suitable for artificial pollination.
