The buzz about insect robots
Useful sites
Biomimicry/biomimetics: General principles and practical examples (University of British Columbia, Canada)
Explains how scientists are using nature as the inspiration for design solutions. Focuses on biomaterials and robotics.
How Stuff Works (USA)
How robots work
Explains the basic concept of robotics and how robots work. Includes definitions.
How spy flies will work
Explains how micro air vehicles (MAVs) might be used as robotic spies in the future. Contains many links to research programs working on MAVs.
Insects (Australian Museum Online)
Explores the world of insects. Includes insect factsheets and links to numerous Australian and international resources.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Fly like an insect (Catalyst, 4 March 2010)
Covers the development of tiny aircraft based on insects.
Robot biomimicry (Catalyst, 21 May 2009)
Discusses the development of a robotic cockroach that mimics the structure and movement of animals.
The big buzz-ness of small brains (ABC Radio National, 7 February 2009)
Discusses control systems of robots based on the insect nervous system.
Srini’s bees (Catalyst, 15 February 2007)
Looks at the design of artificial bee eyes for use on a helicopter.
Fly, robot (The Buzz, 21 August 2004)
Discusses recent research into using different insect characteristics as models for robots.
Spiderman suit should have been hairy (News in Science, 26 April 2004)
Reports on recent research that has revealed how spiders can stick to smooth surfaces even when upside down.
Insect walking and robotics (Annual Review of Entomology)
This recent review outlines current knowledge of the physiological basis of insect walking with an emphasis on recent new developments in biomechanics and genetic dissection of behaviour, and the impact this knowledge is having on robotics.
Aerodynamics (Animal Flight Group, University of Cambridge, UK)
This essay briefly explains how animal flight is different from aeroplane flight, how animal flight is typically studied, and presents some of the emerging theories and applications of this work.
Robotic fly gets its buzz (University of California, USA)
Reports on the development of a robofly.
Flying into the future (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA)
Looks at the research requirements and possible applications of insect robots.
Robot insects (University of Plymouth, UK)
Looks at the technology, movement, navigation and applications of insect robots.
Page updated March 2010.