A team of engineers in the United States has created an impressively small robot designed to explore environments from an insect’s point of view. Compact, efficient, programmable, and affordable, this device is poised to captivate tech enthusiasts.
Named Goby, the robot was developed by Charmed Labs in Austin, Texas, and measures just 3.8 cm tall and 6 cm long, weighing only 45 grams. Unlike some insect-inspired robots such as the 88-mg beetle robot or the flying and swimming RoboBee, Goby is designed more for ground exploration.
Equipped with an OmniVision OV2640 camera providing 1,600 x 1,200 pixel resolution, Goby captures high-quality visuals similar to small drones. It moves using two drive wheels and a tail supported by a small ball, enabling it to tilt, adjust its camera angle, and self-right if flipped over.
Additional features include two LED headlights, an ambient light sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, and wheel odometers. Controlled via a simple web interface accessed by scanning a QR code, users can operate Goby with a joystick. The system also employs 128-bit encryption to minimize latency.
Powered by a lithium-ion battery, Goby offers up to 90 minutes of operation and automatically returns to its charging dock when low on power.
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