Tech news flash! Meet the 'electronic cockroach' microbot developed by Chinese mainland researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. This 2cm, 1g robot is as agile as its insect namesake 🪲🤖
Strength That Packs a Punch
Don’t let its tiny size fool you: this microbot can withstand an external force of 60kg without damage. Its flexible exoskeleton design lets it fold under stress and spring back into shape, protecting its vital components.
Land & Water Gladiator
With a forward speed of 4.8 body lengths per second and 280° turns per second, it scuttles through tight spots—perfect for navigating the narrow lanes of Mumbai’s old quarters or the maze of pipes beneath modern factories. In water, its legs turn into paddles, making it an amphibious adventurer.
Why It Matters
Imagine swarms of these bots slipping into collapsed buildings after an earthquake in Nepal or inspecting the inside of sewage lines in Jakarta. They could revolutionize search & rescue and maintenance in places humans can’t easily reach.
What’s Next?
The catch? Its tiny lithium battery only powers it for about 20 minutes. Researchers are now racing to boost its endurance, so stay tuned for more microbot milestones!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
