Researchers at Japan 's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed tiny drones that can help pollinate plants , according to a study published in the journal Chem . It revealed the team used one - man G - Force PXY Cam remote - controlled drones equipped with strands of animal hair coated in an ionic liquid , to both trap and deposit pollen grains . Sorry for the inconvenience The team said further research was needed to determine whether the drone would be commercially scalable . Almost 70 % of the world 's crops are pollinated by insects , in particular , bees , whose numbers are declining , according to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature .
Researchers at Japan 's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed tiny drones that can help pollinate plants , according to a study published in the journal Chem . It revealed the team used one - man G - Force PXY Cam remote - controlled drones equipped with strands of animal hair coated in an ionic liquid , to both trap and deposit pollen grains . The team said further research was needed to determine whether the drone would be commercially scalable . Almost 70 % of the world 's crops are pollinated by insects , in particular , bees , whose numbers are declining , according to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature .