Newsroom Home Newsroom Archive 2003 November 17

News Release

Epson Develops World's Smallest Flying Microrobot

See video of the Flying Robot (3.65MB, 2min., Windows Media Player)

-TOKYO, Japan, November 17 -

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed the FR ("Micro Flying Robot"), the world's smallest*1 flying prototype microrobot. Epson developed the FR to demonstrate the micromechatronics technology that it has cultivated in-house over the years and to explore the possibilities for microrobots and the development of component technology applications. The company will display its latest offering at the 2003 International Robot Exhibition, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on November 19 - 22, 2003.

Based on its micromechatronics technology, which is one of the company's core technologies, Epson has developed and marketed a family of microrobots known as the EMRoS series*2, beginning with Monsieur, which was put on sale in 1993 and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest microrobot. In April of this year Epson developed Monsieur II-P, a prototype microrobot that operates on an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor and a power-saving Bluetooth module that allows multiple units to be remote-controlled simultaneously. Using these robots, Epson also realized the world's smallest*3 full-blown robot ballet theater. In this way, Epson has played a pioneering role in research and development relating to microrobots and component technology applications.

The FR, which will be shown at the exhibition, causes levitation by use of contra-rotating propellers powered by an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor with the world's highest*4 power-weight ratio and can be balanced in mid-air by means of the world's first*5 stabilizing mechanism using a linear actuator. Furthermore, the essence of micromechatronics has been brought together in high-density mounting technology to minimize the size and weight of the circuitry's control unit.

By developing the FR, Epson has demonstrated the possibility of expanding the activity range of microrobots from two-dimensional space (the ground) to three-dimensional space (the air). Epson intends to use the occasion provided by the exhibition to feel out the reactions of visitors, discover and test problems related to the functional use of space by microrobots, and thus to further concentrate its efforts on advancing its original micromechatronics technology and cultivating applications to meet future needs.

*1,3,4,5: According to Epson's research.
*2: EMRoS stands for Epson Micro Robot System. The series consists of Monsieur (1 cm3 in volume; listed in the Guinness Book of Records; 1993); Nino (0.5 cm3, 1994); Ricordo (1 cm3; equipped with a recording and playback function; 1995); and Rubie (1 cm3; equipped with a capricious wandering function; 1995). All are autonomous travelling robots that chase a light source. Sales of the EMRoS series have been discontinued.

Please see the attachment for an overview of the FR.

About Epson
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
The Epson Group is a network of 73,797 employees in 114 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,322 billion yen in fiscal 2002.

Contacts
Corporate Communications
Seiko Epson Corporation
Contact us by e-mail
http://www.epson.co.jp/

Attachment 1

Overview of the FR (Micro Flying Robot)

Features

• Small, lightweight, high-output ultrasonic motor
  According to company research, the FR's actuator has the world's highest power-weight ratio.
• Low power consumption wireless module
  According to company research, the wireless module has the lowest power consumption in the world
• Mid-air control technology
  The FR features the world's first center-of-mass movement control by means of a linear actuator.
• High-density mounting technology
  The ultra-small circuit carries both a high-frequency circuit and a control circuit.

General Specifications
1. Power: 3.5 V
2. Power consumption: 3 W
3. Dimensions
Diameter: About 130 mm
Height: About 70 mm
4. Levitation power: About 13 g/f
5. Weight
Total weight: About 8.9 g
Wireless module/control units: About 2.5 g
Sensors: About 0.9 g
Mechanism: About 5.1 g

*Please note that this product is a prototype. There are no plans to market it as a commercial product.