View source for Epson Micro Flying Robot

The '''Micro Flying Robot (μFR)''' is the world’s smallest and lightest [[robot]] helicopter prototype, which was developed by [[Epson]] and demonstrated at the [[International Robot Exhibition]] in Tokyo in November 2003.<ref name="MFR">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2003_11_18_2.htm/|title=Epson Develops World's Smallest Flying Microrobot|publisher=Epson|date=17 November 2003|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040207045647/http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2003_11_18_2.htm|archive-date=7 February 2004}}</ref> The purpose of its development was to demonstrate its micro-[[mechatronics]] technology and to explore the possible use of [[micro robot]]s and the development of component technology applications.   

==Features and capabilities==
The μFR is levitated by [[contra-rotating]] propellers powered by four 7x2x1-mm [[ultrasonic motor]]s (originally developed for wristwatches) and is balanced in mid-air by means of a stabilizing mechanism that uses a [[linear actuator]]. Though the μFR is radio-controlled, it relies on power from an external battery via a power cable and thus its flying range is limited. The μFR includes two microprocessors, a [[bluetooth]] module, a gyro-sensor, an [[accelerometer]] and an image sensor.

==Development of μFR-II==
The μFR-II is the enhanced version of the μFR. It was developed in 2004 for full wireless operation paired with independent flight capability. The main challenge was the need to combine lighter weight with greater dynamic lift. Epson made the robot lighter by developing a new gyro-sensor<ref name="Gyro-sensor">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_08_02.htm/|title=Epson Develops World's Smallest Gyro-Sensor|publisher=Epson|date=2 August 2004|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040822052203/http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_08_02.htm|archive-date=22 August 2004}}</ref> that is one-fifth the weight of its predecessor. Dynamic lift was boosted 30% by the introduction of more powerful ultra-thin ultrasonic motors and newly designed, optimally shaped main rotors.<ref name="Physorg">{{Cite web|url=https://phys.org/news/2004-08-world-lightest-micro-flying-robot-built.html/|title=World's Lightest Micro-Flying Robot Built by Epson|publisher=phys.org|date=19 August 2004|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117143957/http://www.physorg.com/news860.html|archive-date=17 January 2007}}</ref> The μFR-II includes two 32-bit [[RISC]] microcontrollers, an on-board [[lithium polymer]] battery, as well as an image sensor that can capture and transmit images via Bluetooth wireless connection. At the moment it has a flight time of just 3 minutes.

== Specifications ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ <!-- if required -->
! 
! '''μFR'''
! '''μFR-II'''
|-
| Power
| 3.5 V
| 4.2 V
|-
| Power Consumption
| 3 W
| 3.5 W
|-
| Diameter
| 130&nbsp;mm
| 136&nbsp;mm
|-
| Height 
| 70&nbsp;mm
| 85&nbsp;mm
|-
| Weight
| 8.9 g
| 12.3 g
|-
| Levitation Power
| 13 g/f
| 17 g/f
|}

==Possible applications==
*Security and surveillance
*Disaster rescue
*Space exploration<ref name="Apps">{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/flying_robot_040819.html/|title=Seiko Epson Develops Micro Flying Robot|publisher=space.com|date=19 August 2004|last=Kageyama|first=Yuri|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124232704/http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/flying_robot_040819.html|archive-date=24 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Micro-Flying Robotics in Space Missions|journal=SAE Transactions|date=2005|last1=Bardina|first1=J.|last2=Thirumalainambi|first2=R.|series=SAE Technical Paper Series |volume=1 |doi=10.4271/2005-01-3405 |s2cid=17568834 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040207045647/http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2003_11_18_2.htm μFR] Epson News Release in November 2003 (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040822054238/http://www.epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_08_18.htm μFR-II] Epson News Release in August 2004 (archived)
* [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Micro-Flying-Robotics-in-Space-Missions-Bardina-Thirumalainambi/246134058af277991dfda9247308b936a62998a8 Micro Flying Robotics in Space Missions]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3579232.stm BBC News article on the μFR-II]

{{Seiko}}

[[Category:Miniature helicopters]]
[[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of Japan]]
[[Category:Epson Robots|Micro Flying Robot]]
[[Category:2003 robots]]
[[Category:Aerobots]]