November 22, 2019 | Motion Control | Sensors/Data Acquisition

A Mechanical Gyroscope, Inspired by Insects

Motion Design INSIDER

An insect-inspired, mechanical gyroscope can advance motion sensing capabilities in consumer-sized applications. (Credit: Jill Hemman/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S Dept. of Energy)

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory took inspiration from flying insects to create a miniaturized gyroscope, a special sensor used in navigation technologies.

To maintain performance at microscale, the team developed an all-mechanical device with no on-chip electrical components. The coin-sized design enables motion sensing capabilities in consumer-sized applications.