Insect-inspired robot has wings that buzz thanks to new type of electric 'muscle' The prototype can fly at 1.6mph and was created by Bristol University scientists It has a wing span of 5.9 inches and weighs 0.01lbs, about the size of a dragonfly Wing design was inspired by a firefly and acts like negatively charged electrode Two positively charged electrodes sit above and below, causing the wing to flap An insect-inspired flying robot with wings that buzz thanks to a new type of electric 'muscle' has been developed by British scientists.