In August, Epson successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to the FR, the world's smallest and lightest micro-flying robot. Turning once again to its micromechatronics technology, Epson has redefined the state of the art with its FR-II micro-flying robot - the world's lightest and most advanced microrobot, which also features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight.

Epson has long been engaged in the research and development (R&D) of microrobots and applications for their enabling technologies. The FR-II is only the latest chapter in an Epson success story that began with Monsieur, a microrobot that was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest microrobot.

The microrobot weighs a mere 8,6 grams without battery, or 12,3 grams with the battery attached. It measures 13,6 centimetres in diameter and 8,5 centimetres in height. It hovers about using counter-rotating propellers powered by a lithium battery.

Epson also added a miniscule gyro-sensor with a mass of only 0,066 grams, allowing the robot to balance in the air. The flight of the machine can be remotely controlled or be based on a programme loaded before lift off.

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 they also devised two LED lamps that can be controlled as a means of signalling.

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 space to three-dimensional space. Epson has done this successfully.

Now, with the additional implementation of Bluetooth communications and independent flight in the FR-II, Epson has literally added a new dimension to microrobotics while greatly expanding the potential range of microrobot applications by incorporating image capture and transmission functions.

For more information contact Epson SA, 011 465 9621.