In person
LeadersGoldDiscovery

Insect intelligence in insect-sized robots

  • Date
    8 July 2026
    Timeframe
    15:30 - 16:00
    Duration
    30 minutes
    • Days
      Hours
      Min
      Sec

    The theory of embodied intelligence holds that the way brains think is inexorably tied to the body. And that a considerable portion of that intelligence comes from the mechanics of the body itself. As researchers build smarter robots, they’re re-discovering this evolutionary principle. As the size of the robot reduces to that of an insect, this matters even more. There is no room for big computers or batteries. My research team creates robots less than a gram that fly and hop that combine simple computation with smart physical design inspired by insects. Despite their size, they can sense and respond to their environment. These robots could act as mobile sensors, helping detect gas leaks, spot early forest fires, monitor crops, or even track the spread of airborne diseases. By rethinking intelligence as something shared between “brain and body,” we can make incredibly small robots surprisingly capable—and open up new ways to observe and protect the world around us.

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