Festo AG & Co. KG has revealed amazing 3D printed Robotic ants and butterflies. The German company managed to produce flying drones that resemble real life butterflies. The robotic inventions have the ability to fly with the skill and precision of their real-life counterparts. The engineers employ the use of infrared markers as well as transmission of data aimed to assist in flight. The data is relayed to a central computer.
The wing span for these bionic butterflies is estimated to be about 20 inches. The engineers at Festo have designed these robots to fit the practicality of small air drones.
Festo is bridging new heights with the use of biomimicry in such an advanced manner and imitating the exact structure of biological creatures.
The company has also created bionic ants whose design is completely inspired by and resembles their real biological counterparts. The robots have also borrowed the traits of the real insect. The bionic ants are just about 5 inches in size and have been developed on a 3D printer. Tiny cameras are installed to give them visual aid. The batteries are charged by plugging into a power source through the antennas.
What’s more interesting is the ability of these ants to communicate with each other through wireless signals. This enables them to correspond in performing unified tasks.
Festo has managed to incorporate a lot of genius in the development of these robots. The company attributes the success to the principles obtained by studying natural designs. Festo hopes to continue breaking new grounds in the technological field and introducing more practical applications for their technology.
Festo’s amazing feats in engineering brilliance have earned the company high regards in the scientific community. The company expects to manufacture more of its creations and launch on April 13 this year. The launch is expected to take place at the Hannover Messe, which is the world’s leading industrial technology trade fair.