Close Menu
Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman
    • China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears
    • Judge Halts Trump’s NIH Grant Cuts
    • Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies
    • Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity
    • EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China
    • Judge Halts SpaceX Lawsuit Challenging DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination
    • MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming
    Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Write for Us
    Thursday, May 29
    • Space
    • Science
    • AI and Robotics
    • Industry News
    Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Home » MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming

    MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming

    Arushi PandeyEdited By Arushi PandeyJanuary 24, 2025 AI and Robotics No Comments2 Mins Read
    MIT Robot Insects

    MIT Robot Insects to Support Artificial Pollination

    Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created advanced robotic insects capable of aiding farming through artificial pollination. The MIT robot insects are lightweight and could be particularly valuable in the controlled environments of high-tech vertical farms.


    A New Era for Artificial Pollination

    Co-lead author Suhan Kim from MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) highlighted the potential applications. “These types of robots open up a very new use case,” Kim explained. “Our robot looks like an insect, and its lightweight and small size allow for precise control. This means it could interact delicately with flowers or leaves, which is crucial for artificial pollination.”

    Each robot, weighing less than a paperclip, can hover for approximately 1,000 seconds—over 100 times longer than earlier prototypes. They can also perform complex acrobatic manoeuvres, such as double aerial flips.

    Enhanced Design for Stability and Efficiency

    The new robotic design is half the size of earlier versions, providing improved stability and freeing space for electronics. This innovation lays the groundwork for adding essential components like circuit boards, batteries, and sensors.

    Kim explained, “We are focused on optimising the robot design to carry higher payloads, enabling it to include these critical elements. This could eventually allow for autonomous flight outside the lab.”

    In the long term, this technology could revolutionise crop production in vertical farms—multi-level warehouses growing plants in controlled environments—by improving artificial pollination methods. This innovation could boost crop yields significantly in these settings.

    Addressing Challenges in Indoor Farming

    Vertical farming is gaining traction globally as a solution to food security challenges caused by population growth, climate change, and geopolitical disruptions. However, natural pollinators, like honeybees, face limitations in these environments.

    Kim added, “This doesn’t mean we aim to replace honeybees entirely. However, indoor farms often can’t rely on honeybees due to safety or environmental concerns. In such cases, robotic insects could become a useful tool.”

    Although the robotic insects are not yet as effective as natural pollinators, the researchers aim to refine their flight time and precision. Future versions may be capable of landing and taking off directly from flower centres, enhancing their pollination capabilities.

    The study was published in the journal Science Robotics.

    With inputs from Reuters

    Author

    • Arushi Pandey
      Arushi Pandey

      View all posts


    Featured
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit Telegram WhatsApp
    Arushi Pandey

      Keep Reading

      Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman

      China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears

      Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies

      Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity

      EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China

      Judge Halts SpaceX Lawsuit Challenging DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination

      Add A Comment

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      Latest Posts

      Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman

      February 11, 2025

      China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears

      February 11, 2025

      Judge Halts Trump’s NIH Grant Cuts

      February 11, 2025

      Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies

      January 25, 2025

      Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity

      January 25, 2025

      EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China

      January 25, 2025

      Judge Halts SpaceX Lawsuit Challenging DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination

      January 25, 2025

      MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming

      January 24, 2025

      Windracers Ultra Mark 2 Drone: Transforming Humanitarian Aid and Climate Research

      January 24, 2025

      Europe Can Compete with SpaceX, Says ESA Chief

      January 24, 2025

      Subscribe to News

      Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

      • Astronomical Events
      • Space Missions
      • Industry News
      • Science
      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
      © 2025 Interstellar News, A unit of BharatShakti Communications LLP
      • About Us
      • Contributors
      • Copyright
      • Contact
      • Write for Us

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.