Dubbed microFR II, the flying robot was displayed at the Emerging Technology Fair, held in Tokyo at the end of August.
MicroFR II is the latest generation of microrobot that started with “Monsieur”. Monsieur was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s smallest microrobot when it was launched. The next microrobot, Monsieur II-P, employed the world’s thinnest microactuator (a compact ultrasonic motor) and was remote-controllable via a power-saving Bluetooth module.
Following that, Epson produced microFR, which featured two ultrasonic motors driving two contra-rotating propellers plus the “world’s first” linear actuator stabilising mechanism for attitude control during flight.
MicroFR had limited flying range because it had to be attached to an external battery, and also had to be kept within sight of the operator while flying.
Epson’s next step was to extend the flying range by developing fully wireless operation paired with independent flight capability.
The key challenge is to combine light weight with greater dynamic lift. The company says it made the robot lighter by developing a gyro-sensor weighing 20 percent of its predecessor, again said to be a world first. The microrobot's two microcontrollers include Epson’s own S1C33-family 32-bit RISC. Dynamic lift was boosted 30 percent by introducing more powerful ultrasonic motors and redesigned main rotors.
In addition, the microrobot includes an image sensor unit that can capture and transmit aerial images via a Bluetooth connection to a monitor on the ground. Epson was assisted by Chiba University’s Nonami (Control and Robotics) Laboratory in developing the independent flight controls.