Researchers have come up with the production of bionic ants and butterflies on a 3D printer that looks as beautiful as their natural counterparts.

These bionic ants have not only the physical characteristics of the ants but also a design that keeps many behavioral features of the highly social insects. They are over 5 inches long and weigh just over 1 ounce each.

A small video camera is present in each artificial ant that provides a sense of sight for the robotic insects. These robotic insects can recharge their internal batteries by pacing their antennae against a charging station.

Researchers generally use such kind of technology to drive bending acutators in the devices that provide the joints within limbs. With the help of it, the device propels itself along surfaces. Little electricity is also used in the system to operate time of the robots.

On the company website, Festo managers have reported, "The eMotionButterflies impress with an intelligently employed mechanical system and the smallest possible power units in the tightest space. The reduced use of materials enables the true-to-nature flying behavior".

The artificial butterflies have wingspans of around twenty inches, which could be used in different ways to small serial drones.

Festo's FlesShapeGripper picks up the objects with the help of a technique similar to what was employed by chameleon tongues.

Festo has reported on its website that the FlesShapeGripper, using its elastic silicone cap, can also pick up many objects in a single gripping process and put them down together, without a manual conversion.

Previously, Festo engineers had developed a bionic penguin that can navigate through water with the help of sonar, and have also manufactured a bionic kangaroo capable of realistic hopping.

These insects will be displayed at the Hannover Messe 2105 trade fair for industrial technology, which will held in Germany, from April 13 to 17.