The physical principles of designing planar electric micromotors with
a rating below 10 W for microrobots are considered. The application of
planar microelectronics technology makes it possible to create multif
unctional electromechanical precision devices of high capacity at a co
nsiderably reduced cost. Examples of planar electrostatic film micromo
tor designs are described. Particular attention is given to questions
of optimization of electromechanical energy conversion in electrostati
c and piezoelectric film micromotors. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd. A
ll rights reserved.