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THE BUZZ ABOUT ROBOTS
9 May 2005

Scientists are studying how insects walk, fly and navigate their way in the world to overcome some of the obstacles in the development of robots. The Australian Academy of Science's new Nova: Science in the news topic 'The buzz about robots' has the latest information at www.science.org.au/nova.

How does a fly manouevre with such precision, a bee find its way from flower to hive, or a cockroach move so quickly? Scientists have recently started answering such questions, and they are beginning to realise that insects are the superheroes of the planet, with unique attributes that could guide the next wave of advances in biomimetic robotics.

There are a lot of advantages in working with insects. They are plentiful and easy to maintain in laboratories. They are also immensely diverse, offering a wide variety of strategies for things like movement, navigation and vision. And recent advances in miniaturisation make the construction of insect-sized robots possible.

Scientists have already developed six-legged robots, but have been unable to achieve much in the way of speed. Cockroaches are showing us how it can be done. Robotics engineers are now hard at work designing machines that mimic, as much as possible, the biomechanics of the cockroach.

Scientists are also studying bee vision to overcome problems with navigation by robots, and studying insect aerodynamic techniques to find out how insects perform their astounding aerobatics.

Many of the solutions to complex problems that nature has come up with are magnificent in their simplicity, yet adapting even these to our purposes will not be easy. It seems likely, though, that robotic superheroes really will cruise the planet some day, even if sometimes we hardly know they're there.

More information about 'The buzz about robots' is on the Australian Academy of Science's Nova: Science in the news website at www.science.org.au/nova. The topic also includes a glossary, student activities, further reading, and annotated links to relevant websites.

This topic was supported by The Sir Mark Oliphant International Frontiers of Science and Technology Conference Series (oliphant.org.au), funded by the Australian Government under the International Science Linkages programme. The principal sponsor of Nova: Science in the news is the Commonwealth Bank Foundation (www.commbank.com.au/foundation). The Australian Foundation for Science is also a supporter of Nova.