• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Features list
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsor an article
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Subscribe to Newsletter

Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Editorial Sections A-Z
    • Agriculture
    • Aircraft
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Automation
    • Autonomous vehicles
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Construction
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Drones
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial robots
    • Industry
    • Infrastructure
    • Investments
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Marine
    • Material handling
    • Materials
    • Mining
    • Promoted
    • Research
    • Robotics
    • Science
    • Sensors
    • Service robots
    • Software
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Warehouse robots
    • Wearables
  • Press releases
  • Events

flying

MIT reveals bug-sized flying robot that could help pollinate plants

January 16, 2025 by David Edwards

By Adam Zewe, MIT News

With a more efficient method for artificial pollination, farmers in the future could grow fruits and vegetables inside multilevel warehouses, boosting yields while mitigating some of agriculture’s harmful impacts on the environment.

To help make this idea a reality, MIT researchers are developing robotic insects that could someday swarm out of mechanical hives to rapidly perform precise pollination. However, even the best bug-sized robots are no match for natural pollinators like bees when it comes to endurance, speed, and maneuverability.

Now, inspired by the anatomy of these natural pollinators, the researchers have overhauled their design to produce tiny, aerial robots that are far more agile and durable than prior versions. [Read more…] about MIT reveals bug-sized flying robot that could help pollinate plants

Filed Under: News, Science Tagged With: bug, flying, mit, pollinators, robot

Festo unveils flying robotic bee

May 15, 2024 by Mark Allinson

For more than 15 years, the Festo Bionic Learning Network has been focusing on the fascination of flying. In addition to the technical decoding of bird flight, the team has researched and technologically implemented numerous other flying objects and their natural principles.

With the BionicBee, the Bionic Learning Network has now for the first time developed a flying object that can fly in large numbers and completely autonomously in a swarm. The BionicBee recently presented its first flight show at the Hannover Messe 2024.

At around 34 grams, a length of 220 millimetres and a wingspan of 240 millimetres, the BionicBee is the smallest flying object created by the Bionic Learning Network to date.

[Read more…] about Festo unveils flying robotic bee

Filed Under: Robotics Tagged With: bee, bionic, festo, flying

Drones navigate unseen environments with liquid neural networks

April 26, 2023 by Mark Allinson

MIT researchers exhibit a new advancement in autonomous drone navigation, using brain-inspired liquid neural networks that excel in out-of-distribution scenarios

In the vast, expansive skies where birds once ruled supreme, a new crop of aviators is taking flight. These pioneers of the air are not living creatures, but rather a product of deliberate innovation: drones.

But these aren’t your typical flying bots, humming around like mechanical bees. Rather, they’re avian-inspired marvels that soar through the sky, guided by liquid neural networks to navigate ever-changing and unseen environments with precision and ease.

Inspired by the adaptable nature of organic brains, researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory introduced a method for robust flight navigation agents to master vision-based fly-to-target tasks in intricate, unfamiliar environments. [Read more…] about Drones navigate unseen environments with liquid neural networks

Filed Under: Drones, Features Tagged With: adapt, air, applications, autonomous, csail, data, drone, drones, environments, flying, learning, liquid, making, mit, navigation, networks, neural, researchers, robust, scenarios, systems, task, tasks, training

Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

February 8, 2023 by Mark Allinson

The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a huge challenge for global biodiversity and affects humanity by causing problems in food production. At Tampere University, researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot equipped with artificial muscle. Could this artificial fairy be utilised in pollination?

The development of stimuli-responsive polymers has brought about a wealth of material-related opportunities for next-generation small-scale, wirelessly controlled soft-bodied robots.

For some time now, engineers have known how to use these materials to make small robots that can walk, swim and jump. So far, no one has been able to make them fly.

Researchers of the Light Robots group at Tampere University are now researching how to make smart material fly. Hao Zeng, Academy Research Fellow and the group leader, and Jianfeng Yang, a doctoral researcher, have come up with a new design for their project called FAIRY – Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly. They have developed a polymer-assembly robot that flies by wind and is controlled by light. [Read more…] about Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

Filed Under: Features, Science Tagged With: artificial, controlled, dandelion, developed, fairy, flying, hao, jianfeng, light, materials, pollination, researchers, robot, robots, structure, tampere, university, wind, yang, zeng

Festo showcases robot dragonfly and swift

November 4, 2022 by Mark Allinson

Festo has been showcasing it flying robotic dragonfly and swift at the recent RoboBoston event – the MassRobotics sponsored 5th annual Robot Block Party.

The design of the Festo BionicOpter was inspired by the flight of the dragonfly. Like its natural role model, the ultra-light aircraft can move in all directions, hover on the spot, and sail without flapping its wings.

The BionicOpter for the first time makes it possible for a single model to carry out more flight maneuvers than helicopters and motorized and non-motorized gliders combined. [Read more…] about Festo showcases robot dragonfly and swift

Filed Under: News, Robotics Tagged With: bionicopter, bionicswift, bionicswifts, birds, dragonfly, festo, flapping, flight, fly, flying, model, natural, robot, robots, segments, swift, wing, wings

Xpeng to showcase flying car and new EV at eCar Expo

April 27, 2022 by Mai Tao

Xpeng, an electric vehicle manufacturer, will be attending eCar Expo in Stockholm from April 29 to May 1, 2022.

During the exhibition, the Company’s 5th generation flying car, Xpeng X2, will be revealed to the Swedish public. This is the first time that Xpeng X2 will be shown in Sweden.

Xpeng will also use the exhibition to showcase its first EV model for the Swedish market, Xpeng P5. [Read more…] about Xpeng to showcase flying car and new EV at eCar Expo

Filed Under: Design Tagged With: car, electric, flying, xpeng

The idea of flying bikes is no longer limited to motion pictures

August 24, 2021 by David Edwards

The splendid idea of flying bikes have enthused our imaginations for ages. And, in the last few years, it has become a reality too.

With the increasing congestion on the highways across the world, getting their car to take off and fly has become an attractive possible alternative for drivers. With such technology on board, the users won’t have to waste too much time in peak hours on roads. In fact, they wouldn’t be on the roads at all, of course.

Hover bikes, also known as flying bikes, are scramblers that can use wings and fly. Such bikes can float by containing at least two driving motors – one at the forepart and the other one at the hind sight. [Read more…] about The idea of flying bikes is no longer limited to motion pictures

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: bikes, flying, hover, market, police

SkyDrive launches ‘world’s smallest flying car’

September 1, 2020 by Mai Tao

A Japanese startup company called SkyDrive has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest flying car. (See video below.)

Designed to carry one person, the vehicle could be said to be the aerial equivalent of a motorcycle.

SkyDrive says it can put the what we’ll call the “airbike” into mass production in just two years’ time, by which time there should be more regulations about aerial vehicles. [Read more…] about SkyDrive launches ‘world’s smallest flying car’

Filed Under: Design, News Tagged With: aerial, cars, city, development, driverless, drones, flying, growth, japan, largest, plenty, regulations, skydrive, smallest, speed, technology, time, vehicles, years

Flying taxis set to take off

May 22, 2019 by Anna

With traffic jams a common occurrence in the world’s cities, frustrated drivers sometimes find themselves looking to the heavens for a little help from above. A few years from now, the skies could in fact offer a tangible solution.

The Boston Consulting Group predicts that people around the world will take 1 billion flights in air taxis in 2030, once sharing services have also established a presence on fixed routes above the ground.

What is more, most of those air taxis will be capable of operating without a pilot.

[Read more…] about Flying taxis set to take off

Filed Under: News Tagged With: air, bosch, cities, flights, flying, flying taxi, market, sensor, sensors, set, taxis, vehicles, years

Lilium launches air taxi. Flying cars could take to the skies next

May 16, 2019 by Sam Francis

Flying cars have been around a long time, but only as test vehicles, often engineered and built by tinkerers who may have been seen as somewhat eccentric for even dreaming up such a machine.

But in the past couple of years, these “eccentric tinkerers” have been usurped by corporate bigwigs who maybe see a big market for the technology.

In the most recent development, a German company called Lilium has completed a successful test flight with its all-electric flying car.

[Read more…] about Lilium launches air taxi. Flying cars could take to the skies next

Filed Under: Features, Promoted, Transportation Tagged With: air, aircraft, audi, car, cities, flight, flying, jet, lilium, people, prototype, skies, taxi, taxis, test

Primary Sidebar

Search this website

Latest articles

  • New robotic solution from Fizyr and Yaskawa targets food and life sciences
  • When wheels won’t do: Humanoid robots for human-centric spaces
  • Richtech Robotics surpasses 16,000 robot-served drinks served at Las Vegas location
  • Post of Serbia deploys fleet of 153 Libiao robots across its network
  • Jabil to invest $500 million in US manufacturing for cloud and AI data center infrastructure
  • Mumbai to tackle traffic congestion with ‘flying electric ferries’
  • MIT research: AI shapes new autonomous underwater ‘gliders’

  • Volvo automates handling of vehicle steering if tire blows out
  • PrismaX raises $11 million as it emerges from development
  • Moldova revs up its ‘digital engine’ as IT sector growth accelerates

Secondary Sidebar

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT