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Epson’s latest micro-flying robot Epson has successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to the mFR, the world’s smallest and lightest micro-flying robot (featured in SILICON CHIP, January 2004). This one is capable of independent (non-tethered) flight. T urning once again to its micromechatronics technology, Epson’s mFR-II Micro-Flying Robot also features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight. The mFRII was first displayed at the Emerging Technology Fair, held as part of the Emerging Technology Fair in Tokyo in late August. The mFR-II is only the latest chapter in an Epson success story that began with Monsieur, a micro-robot that was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s smallest micro-robot and was put on sale in 1993. Having made micro-mechatronics one of its core technologies, the company has since created and marketed several more microrobots in the EMRoS series. April 2003 saw the introduction of 24  Silicon Chip the Monsieur II-P, a prototype microrobot that operates on the world’s thinnest micro-actuator (an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor) and is remote-controllable via a power-saving Bluetooth module. The following November, Epson unveiled the prototype micro-flying robot mFR, which featured two ultra-thin, ultrasonic motors driving two contrarotating propellers for levitation, plus the world’s first linear-actuator stabilizing mechanism for attitude control during flight. However, the mFR prototype microrobot’s flying range was limited by the length of the power cord attaching it to an external battery. Although it was radio-controlled, it had to be kept within sight of the operator while flying. Consequently, Epson decided that the next step was to extend the flying range by developing fully wireless operation paired with independent flight capability. The main issue to be tackled with regard to wireless flight was the need to combine lighter weight with greater dynamic lift. Epson made the robot lighter by developing a new gyro-sensor that is one-fifth the weight of its predecessor, making it the world’s smallest and lightest gyro-sensor. Also helping to shed weight is the high-density mounting technology used to package the microrobot’s two micro-controllers including the Epsonoriginal S1C33-family 32-bit RISC. Dynamic lift was boosted 30% by introducing more powerful ultra-thin siliconchip.com.au ultrasonic motors and newly designed, optimally shaped main rotors. For the challenge of independent flight, Epson brought its many years of micromechatronics experience to bear in realizing the development of a linear actuator with faster response time and a high-precision attitude control mechanism, along with a flight path control and independent flight system (primarily for hovering). To top it off, Epson added an image sensor unit that can capture and transmit aerial images via a Bluetooth wireless connection to a monitor on land and devised two LED lamps as a means of signaling. Epson was assisted by Chiba University’s Nonami (Control and Robotics) Laboratory in developing the control system for independent flight. The company also received advice on the rotor design from the Kawachi (Aeronautics and Astronautics) Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. The key concept behind Epson’s R&D efforts in micro-flying robots has been to expand the horizons of microrobot activities from two-dimensional to three-dimensional space. Now, with the successful implemen- mFR-II Specifications Power: 4.2V Power consumption: 3.5W Dimensions Diameter: About 136mm Height: About 85mm Maximum lift: About 17g/f Flight time: About 3 minutes Weight (no battery): 8.6g Weight with battery: 12.3g Individual component weights:   Battery 3.7g    Rotary Actuator Unit 2.9g    Linear Actuator Unit 0.6g   Control Circuitry 3.1g   Frame 2.0g tation of Bluetooth communications and independent flight in the FR-II, Epson has added a new dimension to micro-robotics while greatly expanding the potential range of micro-robot applications by incorporating image capture and transmission functions. For more information, visit the Epson website, www.epson.co.jp SC Want really bright LEDs? We have the best value, brightest LEDs available in Australia! Check these out: Luxeon 1 and 5 watt LEDs All colours available, with or without attached optics, as low as $10 each Lumileds Superflux LEDs These are 7.6mm square and can be driven at up to 50mA continuously. •Red and amber: $2 each •Blue, green and cyan: $3 each Asian Superflux LEDs Same size and current as the Lumileds units, almost the same light output, but a fraction of the price. •Red and amber: Just 50 cents each! •Blue, green, aqua and white: $1 each. Go to www.ata.org.au and check out our webshop or call us on (03)9388 9311. Stabiliser Rotors Rotary actuators (contra-rotating) Linear Actuator (dual axis) Control Circuitry Polymer-Lithium Secondary Battery siliconchip.com.au Frame October 2004  25