Researchers at Stanford University's Bio-X program have developed a robot that uses machine vision to catch and sort tiny little fruit flies much faster than a human can.
Using a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the fruit fly, which is an important model of genetic research, the robot is able to identify individual insects by the pattern reflected off their thorax. A mild amount of suction is then applied to the thorax through a tiny straw, lifting the fly without having to use anesthesia.
Once the fly is restrained, the robot can identify its gender and various physical preparations, and can even prepare microdissections.
Ultimately, the use of machine vision and high robotic technology in this robot ensures that scientists can spend more time on doing scientific research rather than catching fruit flies.
Fly-Catching Robots
This Robot Uses Machine Vision to Catch Fruit Flies
Trend Themes
1. Machine Vision Robots - Development of machine vision robots to automate tasks and increase efficiency in the research industry.
2. Biotech Automation - Increasing demand for automation technology in the biotech industry to improve research capabilities and accelerate discoveries.
3. Animal Handling Robotics - Growing adoption of robotics in animal handling to streamline processes, reduce labor and improve the accuracy of animal research.
Industry Implications
1. Biotechnology - The development of automated robotics is revolutionizing the biotech industry by improving workflow efficiency, reducing errors and enhancing accuracy of biological research.
2. Healthcare Research - Robotics technology is increasingly being adopted in healthcare research and medical fields for improved efficiency and cost-effective solutions.
3. Agriculture - Robotic automation in the agriculture industry is improving efficiency and accuracy while reducing labor, making it a potential disruptive trend for the sector.