Chinese Scientists Create Tiny Insect-like Robot, Bringing Microbots Closer to Reality

Inspired by Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” a team of researchers from Beihang University in China has successfully developed a tiny, insect-sized robot that could pave the way for future microbot technology. The 2-cm-long, 2-gram robot, capable of swift, agile movements, can navigate tight spaces and even execute complex maneuvers.

Led by Professor Yan Xiaojun, the team spent years refining the robot’s design, overcoming the challenge of powering such a small machine without external sources. Drawing inspiration from the gaits of animals like leopards and grasshoppers, the team created the “BHMbot,” which can move faster than cockroaches and turn more easily.

This breakthrough has significant potential for applications in disaster search and rescue and equipment inspection. Looking ahead, Yan’s team aims to develop flapping-wing micro-drones capable of flight, similar to bees.