Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new generation of tiny robotic insect drones capable of flying 100 times longer than previous designs.

These advanced micro-drones, weighing less than a paperclip, can hover for approximately 1,000 seconds (nearly 17 minutes) without any degradation in flight precision.

The innovative design features a cross-shaped structure with four wings, each driven by soft actuators made of thin rubber cylinders coated in carbon nanotubes.

When voltage is applied, these actuators contract and expand, causing the wings to flap nearly 500 times per second.

This rapid wing movement enhances the drones’ agility and resilience, allowing them to perform complex maneuvers such as double aerial flips and precise trajectory tracking.

One of the significant challenges addressed by the MIT team was reducing the mechanical stress on the drones’ wing hinges during flight.

They developed a long wing hinge, approximately 2 centimeters in length but only 200 microns in diameter, to minimize torsional stress during the flapping motion.

This design improvement not only increases the drones’ endurance and lifespan but also provides sufficient space to potentially carry tiny batteries or sensors, paving the way for untethered flight outside the laboratory.

The enhanced flight capabilities and durability of these robotic insects open up promising applications in fields such as artificial pollination,

search and rescue missions in hazardous environments, and inspection of complex machinery.

The researchers aim to further extend the flight duration beyond 10,000 seconds and improve the drones’ precision to enable tasks like landing and taking off from the center of a flower.

Future developments also include equipping the drones with onboard batteries and sensors for autonomous operation in real-world settings.

This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the development of micro-aerial vehicles, bringing them closer to practical deployment in various industries.