Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are designing a robotic insect that could offer an efficient method for artificial pollination.

In the future, these bug-sized robots could be unleashed to rapidly perform precise pollination and boost the yield of crops grown in multi-level warehouses.

It is hoped the bots could match natural pollinators such as bees when it comes to endurance, speed and manoeuverability.

Weighing less than a paperclip, the new bot has been designed for precise and agile flight while minimising the mechanical stress on its artificial wing flexures. The design also has room to accommodate tiny batteries or sensors.

Kevin Chen, an associate professor at MIT’s department of electrical engineering and computer science, said: “With the improved lifespan and precision of this robot, we are getting closer to some very exciting applications, like assisted pollination.”

The updated design features a different arrangement of the wings, which boosts their...