Colby Bellew

Papers

Total Citations

172

H-Index

About

Colby Bellew is a pioneering figure in micro-robotics, best known for his groundbreaking work on autonomous microrobots at the millimeter scale. His key research areas include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), silicon-based actuation, and solar-powered robotics. Bellew’s most significant contribution is the development of the world’s first solar-powered 10 mg silicon robot, a two-legged microrobot measuring just 8.5 mm by 4 mm. This work, published in 2003 and garnering over 170 citations, demonstrated the first autonomous steps of a microrobot fabricated using a planarized silicon-on-insulator process. By integrating solar cells directly onto the robot’s body, Bellew eliminated the need for external power tethers, a major hurdle in micro-robotics. His achievement proved that complex, untethered locomotion was possible at sub-centimeter scales, inspiring a generation of researchers in microrobotics and MEMS. Bellew’s legacy lies in showing that even a 10 mg silicon structure can walk, bridging the gap between microfabrication and autonomous robotic systems.