{"id":32444,"date":"2025-12-09T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/?p=32444"},"modified":"2025-12-09T12:12:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T11:12:37","slug":"flying-micro-robots-when-mechanical-insects-cease-to-be-science-fiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/en\/flying-micro-robots-when-mechanical-insects-cease-to-be-science-fiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Flying micro-robots: when mechanical insects cease to be science fiction"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"32444\" class=\"elementor elementor-32444 elementor-32419\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bd2ca79 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3bd2ca79\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41a911ed sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41a911ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Imagine an army of tiny robots as small as a bumblebee, light as a paper clip, capable of flying, spinning, flipping&#8230; and going where no conventional drone could. It&#8217;s not the plot of a science fiction movie: it&#8217;s what researchers at MIT are achieving right now. This technological leap will redefine what we understand by &#8220;robot&#8221;: not metallic giants that kick up dust, but small insectoid automatons that slip through cracks, fly over debris, or analyze pipes from the inside.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-593767 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"593767\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34c82b27 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"34c82b27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/w09fw6zlpcQ?si=yvQFoXdcZOhsWdux&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77c6deaa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77c6deaa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-333b84ae sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"333b84ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What they have achieved and why it matters<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198bee0e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"198bee0e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae63cb8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ae63cb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li data-start=\"922\" data-end=\"1070\"><p data-start=\"924\" data-end=\"1070\">MIT&#8217;s new aerial microrobot measures only about <strong data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"983\">4 cm<\/strong> in diameter and weighs less than a paper clip.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1071\" data-end=\"1275\"><p data-start=\"1073\" data-end=\"1275\">Thanks to a bio-inspired design, flapping wings, soft artificial muscles, ultra-light materials, it can flap its wings <strong data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1234\">up to 400 times per second.<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1276\" data-end=\"1554\"><p data-start=\"1278\" data-end=\"1554\">With a new controller based on artificial intelligence, this robot flies with <strong data-start=\"1359\" data-end=\"1420\">speed and agility comparable to real insects<\/strong>: its speed and acceleration increased by 450% and 250%, respectively, compared to previous versions.  <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1757\"><p data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1757\">It is capable of performing complex maneuvers: for example, completing <strong data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1656\">10 somersaults in just 11 seconds<\/strong>, even under gusts of wind that could throw it off balance. <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1758\" data-end=\"1986\"><p data-start=\"1760\" data-end=\"1986\">In addition, its flight range has been radically improved: it can now hover for <strong data-start=\"1858\" data-end=\"1884\">nearly 1,000 seconds<\/strong> &#8211; something unthinkable in previous generations of microbots.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><div>In short: these micro-robots are no longer &#8220;laboratory toys&#8221;, but systems with realistic performance, capable of practical uses outside the controlled environment.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67ce8376 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"67ce8376\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19cbdb9d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19cbdb9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Applications with a future  <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5119caa0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5119caa0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42f8707 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42f8707\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2236\" data-end=\"2305\">This type of robot promises to open up a huge range of possibilities:<\/p><ul data-start=\"2307\" data-end=\"3726\"><li data-start=\"2307\" data-end=\"2548\"><p data-start=\"2309\" data-end=\"2548\"><strong data-start=\"2312\" data-end=\"2349\">Search and rescue after disasters<\/strong>: in earthquakes, landslides, or fires, they can slip through cracks, rubble tunnels, and spaces too narrow for drones or humans, exploring dangerous areas without risking lives.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2549\" data-end=\"2865\"><p data-start=\"2551\" data-end=\"2865\"><strong data-start=\"2554\" data-end=\"2581\">Artificial pollination<\/strong>: in intensive agriculture, greenhouses, or even vertical farms where real bees do not reach or are in decline, these &#8220;mechanical bumblebees&#8221; could accurately pollinate and even enable crops in extreme environments. <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2866\" data-end=\"3081\"><p data-start=\"2868\" data-end=\"3081\"><strong data-start=\"2871\" data-end=\"2914\">Industrial inspection and infrastructure<\/strong>: pipes, pipelines, ducts, heavy machinery, mines, narrow or dangerous spaces &#8211; places where a normal drone cannot fit &#8211; could be checked by these minidrones.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"3082\" data-end=\"3319\"><p data-start=\"3084\" data-end=\"3319\"><strong data-start=\"3087\" data-end=\"3122\">Environment and monitoring<\/strong>: thanks to their size and delicacy, they could enter where we cannot: chimneys, cisterns, ducts, to measure air quality, detect leaks, gases, pollutants or biohazards.<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3726\"><p data-start=\"3322\" data-end=\"3726\"><strong data-start=\"3325\" data-end=\"3382\">Off-Earth space exploration and agriculture<\/strong>: in a scenario of human colonies on Mars or the Moon, these robots could pollinate crops, explore crevices, caves, or rugged terrain, and even cooperate in swarms to map the territory. Some projects already dream of deployable &#8220;mechanical hives&#8221; where nature does not exist. <\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-557931ed e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"557931ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68e266b5 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68e266b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">But it's not all clear skies: the challenges remain enormous.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32acaa7a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"32acaa7a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53c2e13a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53c2e13a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"3876\">As with any great technological dream, there are still hurdles to overcome:<\/p><ul data-start=\"3878\" data-end=\"4913\"><li data-start=\"3878\" data-end=\"4146\"><p data-start=\"3880\" data-end=\"4146\"><strong data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3906\">Power and autonomy<\/strong>: many prototypes still require cables or an external power supply. Current batteries are too heavy. Incorporating batteries, sensors, cameras&#8230; without sacrificing weight or agility remains a challenge.  <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4147\" data-end=\"4432\"><p data-start=\"4149\" data-end=\"4432\"><strong data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4183\">Sensors and their own &#8220;brains&#8221;<\/strong>: today, many robots still rely on external systems for control and navigation. The next step will be to equip them with miniaturized cameras and sensors, and algorithms capable of making real-time decisions. <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4433\" data-end=\"4709\"><p data-start=\"4435\" data-end=\"4709\"><strong data-start=\"4438\" data-end=\"4470\">Production at scale and cost<\/strong>: manufacturing hundreds or thousands of these delicate, tiny micro-robots cheaply and reliably is not easy. Turning a laboratory prototype into a practical global solution requires time, innovation, and economies of scale. <\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"4710\" data-end=\"4913\"><p data-start=\"4712\" data-end=\"4913\"><strong data-start=\"4715\" data-end=\"4760\">Durability and robustness in real environments<\/strong>: it is not enough for them to fly in a laboratory; they must withstand wind, dust, impact, temperature variations and humidity&#8230; an extremely demanding assembly.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1accfa7b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1accfa7b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a9cb3cb sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4a9cb3cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-1024x507.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-32434\" alt=\"MIT&#039;s Insect Robot Salvador Vilalta&#039;s Blog\" srcset=\"https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-1024x507.png 1024w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-768x380.png 768w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-1536x760.png 1536w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-2048x1014.png 2048w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-370x183.png 370w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-840x416.png 840w, https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robot-Insecto-del-MIT-el-Blog-de-Salvador-Vilalta-410x203.png 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Source: MIT<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6744f194 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6744f194\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-259693e5 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"259693e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These micro-robots are like &#8220;mechanical insects&#8221; from the future. They do not seek to replace traditional machines with giant propellers: their value lies in their discretion, flexibility, delicacy, and near-invisibility. They are a new generation of tools, designed for areas where large machines cannot reach.  <\/p><p>If we add intelligent control thanks to Artificial Intelligence, advanced materials, miniaturization and cooperation in swarms&#8230; what today is a laboratory prototype can become an everyday tool in rescue, agriculture, industry or exploration, even on other planets.<\/p><p>Can you imagine a future with swarms of insect robots helping in rescues or pollinating crops?  <span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;\">Which of these applications do you find most useful or urgent: rescue, agriculture, space exploration or medicine?  <\/span><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;\">Are you more fascinated or disturbed by the idea of having micro-robots flying around us?<\/span><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;\">Where do you expect we will first see these types of robots in action: in the field, in a hospital, or in a factory?<\/span><\/p><p>What other practical use can you think of for bumblebee-sized robots?<\/p><p>Have a good week!<\/p><p><b>REFERENCES<\/b><\/p><ul><li data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"267\"><p data-start=\"114\" data-end=\"267\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.mit.edu\/2025\/mit-engineers-design-aerial-microrobot-fly-like-bumblebee-1203#:~:text=In%20the%20future%2C%20tiny%20flying,and%20pieces%20of%20falling%20rubble\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIT engineers design an aerial microrobot that can fly as fast as a bumblebee- MIT News<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"1090\"><p data-start=\"908\" data-end=\"1090\"><a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.xatakaciencia.com\/astronomia\/abejas-roboticas-de-la-nasa-para-explorar-el-planeta-marte\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"908\" data-end=\"1088\">Marsbee: the robotic bees that NASA wants to send to Mars &#8211; Xataka Ciencia<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1280\"><p data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1280\"><a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ecuavisa.com\/tendencias\/tecnologia\/un-robot-insecto-que-podria-polinizar-cultivos-y-explorar-marte-BD10022672#:~:text=Adem%C3%A1s%20de%20la%20agricultura%2C%20el,entornos%20industriales%20de%20dif%C3%ADcil%20acceso\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1278\">Insect robot that could pollinate crops and explore Mars<\/a><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1281\" data-end=\"1438\" data-is-last-node=\"\"><p data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1438\" data-is-last-node=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/megatech.ng\/ict\/scientists-develop-worlds-smallest-lightest-fastest-fully-functional-micro-robots\/#:~:text=The%20potential%20applications%20of%20these,Their\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists Develop World&#8217;s Smallest, Lightest, Fastest Fully Functional Micro-Robots<\/a><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2582bed4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2582bed4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2672fb7a elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-24757 elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"2672fb7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/salvadorvilalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Salva_Suscribir-1024x484.png);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Salvador Vilalta Blanco Suscribir\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDid you like this content?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIf you liked this content and want access to exclusive content for subscribers, <b>subscribe now<\/b>. Thank you in advance for your trust\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\" href=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MjMwNzAsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tI want to Subscribe \t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Imagine an army of tiny robots as small as a bumblebee, light as a paper clip, capable of flying, spinning, flipping&#8230; and going where no conventional drone could. It&#8217;s not&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":32439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[241,230,231],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-reflections","category-tools"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Flying micro-robots: when mechanical insects cease to be science fiction - Salvador Vilalta<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flying micro-robots: when mechanical insects are no longer science fiction. 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