When Flies Survive the Swatter

The future is here, and it's swarms of tiny, unsquashable ​robots! Actually, I bet you can squash them if you try hard enough. Scientists and engineers at the EPFL research institute in Lausanne, Switzerland recently showcased their DEAnsect: a tiny, soft-bodied robot that can survive being slapped with a fly swatter. DEA stands for dielectric elastomer actuators which are the artificial muscles the robot uses for movement. The robot includes sensors that can sense light and dark, allowing it to follow black and white patterns on surfaces. Scientists plan to add additional sensors for additional capabilities, including data collection and communication. Be sure to check out the videos in the link below! 

www.epfl.ch/labs/lmts/lmts-research/deansect/