Newsroom Home Newsroom Archive 2004 August 18

News Release

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Epson Announces Advanced Model of the World's Lightest Micro-Flying Robot

- TOKYO, Japan, August 18, 2004 -

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") today announced that it has 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 new lightest and most advanced microrobot, which also features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight*2. The FR-II will be on display at the Emerging Technology Fair, part of the Future Creation Fair that runs from August 27 to 30 at the Tokyo International Forum.

Epson has long been engaged in the research and development of microrobots and in the development of 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 and was put on sale in 1993. Having made micromechatronics one of its core technologies, the company has since created and marketed several more microrobots in the EMRoS series*3. April 2003 saw the introduction of the Monsieur II-P, a prototype microrobot that operates on the world's thinnest microactuator (an ultra-thin, ultrasonic motor)*4 and is remote-controllable via a power-saving Bluetooth module. The following November, Epson unveiled the prototype micro-flying robot FR, which featured two ultra-thin, ultrasonic motors driving two contra-rotating propellers for levitation, plus the world's first*5 linear actuator stabilizing mechanism for attitude control during flight.

However, the FR prototype microrobot's flying range was limited by the length of the power cord attaching it to an external battery, and 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 a mere one-fifth the weight of its predecessor, making it the world's smallest and lightest*6 gyro-sensor. Also helping to shed weight is the high-density mounting technology used to package the microrobot's two microcontrollers including the Epson-original S1C33-family 32-bit RISC. Dynamic lift was boosted 30% by introducing more powerful ultra-thin ultrasonic motors and newly designed, optimally shaped main rotors. As 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, and 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 they also devised two LED lamps that can be controlled 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 space to three-dimensional space. Now, with the successful 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. At the Emerging Technology Fair, the FR-II micro-flying robot's features are expected to be showcased in artistic aerial performances. Epson hopes to gain feedback from visitors at this exhibit that may be useful as the company strives toward further progress in developing original micromechatronics technologies and applications.

*1: Weight excluding battery, according to Epson's research
*2: Independent flight is the ability to follow a computer-programmed flight path
*3: "EMRoS" stands for "Epson MicroRobot System." This series included four main models: Monsieur (listed in the Guinness book of Records as the world's smallest—only 1cm³ in volume, 1993), followed by Nino (a 0.5-cm³ model introduced in 1994), Ricordo (1cm³, equipped with a recording and playback function, 1995), and Rubie (1 cm³, equipped with a capricious wandering function, 1995.) All of these models are independent traveling robots that chase a light source. Sales of the EMRoS series have been discontinued.
*4, 5, 6: According to Epson's research

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, liquid crystal panels for projectors, 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 84,899 employees in 110 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 1,413 billion yen in fiscal 2003.

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



Attachment

Overview of the FR-II micro-flying robot

Features

Wireless features

• Epson's own gyro-sensor (world's smallest and lightest)

• Two Epson original S1C33 Family of 32-bit RISC microprocessors, on board with high-density mounting

• Able to use commercially available battery (polymer-lithium battery) thanks to lighter weight and more efficient drive circuitry

• Actuator has the world's highest power-weight ratio (according to company research), providing 30% more lift than the FR

Independent flight features

• World's first linear actuator-equipped balance control system for higher precision and faster response

• Epson's proprietary flight path control and independent flight system (primarily for hovering)

General specifications

* Please note that the FR-II is a prototype and is not intended for sale.



Overview of Future Creation Fair and Emerging Technology Fair

Also sponsored by: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
With support from: Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Japanese Patent Office; WIPO; Mainichi Newspapers; and the 47 prefectural governments of Japan