Liftoff of an Electromagnetically Driven Insect-Inspired Flapping-Wing Robot

Abstract

We present the first electromagnetically driven, self-lifting, sub-100-mg, insect-inspired flapping-wing microaerial vehicle. This robot, with a weight of 80 mg and a wingspan of 3.5 cm, can produce sufficient thrust to lift off. The wing beat frequency is up to 80 Hz and the flapping amplitude is approximately ±70°. An electromagnetic actuator is employed to control the flapping amplitude and create passive wing rotation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the world's smallest electromagnetically driven flapping-wing robot that is capable of liftoff.