Finnish engineers have created an unusual "fairy robot" that can fly under the influence of light

A group of researchers from the Finnish University of Tampere has developed a unique FAIRY robot capable of using visible light. The name, which means "fairy" in Russian, is actually an abbreviation that stands for "flying airbots based on photosensitive materials."

It is noted that the high porosity of 0.95%, combined with a minimum weight of 1.2 milligrams, allow the robot to float in the air, moving with the help of wind, and its unusual shape, which supports the process of generating vortex rings, contributes to a longer flight range.

But this is not the end of the unique features of the tiny robot, since it can also be controlled by light. This feature is due to the photosensitive liquid crystal elastomer from which the robot is made. This material is capable of contraction and relaxation under the influence of visible light, as a result of which the "plumage" of the robot begins to make swings that allow it to control its movement.

According to the developers, in the future it may be possible to equip their device, for example, with GPS trackers and apply various kinds of chemicals to them and subsequently use them to pollinate flowers without using live bees.