MIT engineers design an aerial microrobot that can fly as fast as a bumblebee

Ten consecutive somersaults executed flawlessly by a robot the size of a microcassette weighs less than a paperclip. MIT researchers have developed aerial microrobots that can now match the speed and agility of real insects, marking a breakthrough that could revolutionize search and rescue operations after earthquakes.

These tiny flying machines previously crawled through the air along smooth, predictable paths. Now, equipped with AI-powered controllers and squishy artificial muscles that rapidly flap their wings, they can dart and dive through tight spaces with gymnastic precision.

The secret lies in a two-step control system that mimics how insects navigate. Researchers first built a sophisticated planner that maps complex maneuvers, then compressed that intelligence into a lightweight AI model that makes split-second decisions.

"We want to be able to use these robots in scenarios that more traditional quad copter robots would have trouble flying into, but that insects could navigate," says Kevin Chen, who leads MIT's Soft and Micro Robotics Laboratory.

The performance improvements are stunning: 447 percent faster flight speeds and 255 percent better acceleration. During wind disturbances that would topple earlier versions, these robotic insects stayed within mere centimeters of their planned trajectories while performing rapid saccade movements that help real insects see clearly while flying.