Epson showcases flying microrobot prototype

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Feb. 16, 2004

Seiko Epson says it has developed the world's smallest flying prototype microrobot. Epson says it developed the µFR ("Micro Flying Robot") to demonstrate the micromechatronics technology that it has cultivated in-house over the years and to explore the possibilities for microrobots and the development of component technology applications.

Based on its micromechatronics technology, which is one of Epson's core technologies, Epson has developed and marketed a family of microrobots known as the EMRoS (Epson Micro Robot System) series 2, beginning with Monsieur, which was put on sale in 1993 and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest microrobot. In April of 2003, Epson developed Monsieur II-P, a prototype microrobot that operates on an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor and a power-saving Bluetooth module that allows multiple units to be remote-controlled simultaneously. Using these robots, Epson also realized the world's smallest full-blown robot ballet theater.

Epson's tiny microrobot prototype

Epson says the µFR accomplishes its levitation by means of contra-rotating propellers powered by an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor with the world's highest power-weight ratio, and can be balanced in mid-air by means of "the world's first stabilizing mechanism using a linear actuator. Additionally, the µFR's micromechatronics has been realized via a high-density mounting technology that sminimize the size and weight of the circuitry's control unit.

Epson says its development of the µFR demonstrates the possibility of expanding the activity range of microrobots from two-dimensional space (the ground) to three-dimensional space (the air).

(Click above image for a larger view)

Epson provided the following brief overview of the features and specs of its µFR (Micro Flying Robot) microrobot prototype . . .

Features:

Small, lightweight, high-output ultrasonic motor -- According to company research, the FR's actuator has the world's highest power-weight ratio.
Low power consumption wireless module -- According to company research, the wireless module has the lowest power consumption in the world
Mid-air control technology -- The FR features the world's first center-of-mass movement control by means of a linear actuator.
High-density mounting technology -- The ultra-small circuit carries both a high-frequency circuit and a control circuit.

Specifications:

Power: 3.5 V
Power consumption: 3 W
Dimensions
:Diameter: About 130 mm
Height: About 70 mm
Levitation power: About 13 g/f
Weight:
Total weight: About 8.9 g
Wireless module/control units: About 2.5 g
Sensors: About 0.9 g
Mechanism: About 5.1 g

According to Epson, the µFR is purely a prototype at this time, and there are currently no plans to market it as a commercial product.

(Click here for further information)

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Home \| News \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited.