Model of the World's Lightest Micro-Flying Robot of Epson

Model of the World's Lightest Micro-Flying Robot of Epson

Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson) had recently announced that it has successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to the FR, the world's smallest and lightest micro-flying robot. Turning once again to its micro-mechatronics technology, Epson has redefined “state of the art” with its FR-II micro-flying robot - the world's newest, lightest and most advanced microrobot, which also features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight*2.

However, the FR prototype microrobot's flying range was limited, as although it was radio-controlled, it had to be kept within sight of the operator while flying. Consequently, Epson decided that the next step was to extend the flying range by developing fully wireless operation paired with independent flight capability. The main issue to be tackled with regard to wireless flight was the need to combine lighter weight with greater dynamic lift. Epson made the robot lighter by developing a new gyro-sensor that is a mere one-fifth the weight of its predecessor, making it the world's smallest and lightest*6 gyro-sensor.

The key concept behind Epson's R&D efforts in micro-flying robots has been to expand the horizons of microrobot activities from two-dimensional space to three-dimensional space. Now, with the successful implementation of Bluetooth communications and independent flight in the FR-II, Epson has literally added a new dimension to microrobotics while greatly expanding the potential range of microrobot applications by incorporating image capture and transmission functions.

• K.P