Transistors
January 21, 2026 • EPISODE 294
What is a transistor and why is it important? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings explores how transistors control electric current, replaced bulky vacuum tubes, and made modern electronics possible—from radios to computers and smartphones. The episode also features a tiny bug-like robot developed by MIT and the fascinating story of Henry Ford and how Thomas Edison influenced the development of the automobile.
About DrB
Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology.
As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.
Read more about DrB »
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »
Hello fom freezing North Dakota
Here from East TN 🙂
Hey From North Carolina I love the lives
will the tiny flying robot be mass produced to deliver sticks in the future?
Hello from Upstate NY!
I love science spotlight! It’s so interesting to learn about different inventions.
could the micro robots do light shows?
Hello from Alabama. I love getting to learn so much through science live.
Hey from Montana
I really enjoyed the video
Hello i am Noah i am from Utah south ogden.
what else do these robot flies do?
If they make the software fast, does the fly go faster or it makes it easier to see?
That’s cool
Hi from Las Vegas!
Hi from Florida, I thought that it can fly fast was cool.
Hello! From Mississippi.
hello from north Carolina!!!
It’s impressive how flexible and movable that robot bee is. I wonder what use cases there could be for this robot
Hii from Mississippi
Hi from Massachusetts!
Hi from Texas
Why are chemists so good at solving problems? They’re always working with solutions.
How many named shark breeds are there?
hello from Texas
HELLO FROM VIRGINIA
those tiny robots are really cool
Hello from Alabama!
Hi! Tiny flying robots seem so cool!
what material did they use for the wings
Hello from New Jersey!
Happy Wednesday!
That was very cool what dr John was showing us.
Hello I’m Siena! The Teeny tinny fly gadget thing (sorry if I get the name wrong) sounded really interesting. Do you know how if they are going to get them to be able to fly longer?
can any one tell me the exact time for science live thank you
I hope to go to MIT when I graduate.
hello everyone!!!
The drone looks like it could change many industries.
It’s Pokémon violet all over again. Everything is Turning into a robot!
I love the robot.
Wow that’s awesome that they made those wings and that it can move as fast as a bee
how you guys doing.
Wow this is so cool
Carbon nano tubes are so cool what else can they be used for?
another hi from tx !! ^_^
Hiiiiii from Atlanta, Georgia!
Hello from Arkansas this is so interesting i love these science live.
How do you control it if its so small? How are you going to see it?
How did scientists make a very small robot that can move very quickly?
Can’t wait to learn from texas.
I was here last week, and I can say you’re right carbon nanotubes are incredible.
Robot bugs!! Wow! What are they going to be used for?
Hi from Tennessee!
How much can it hold? How hevy is it?
How do the wings move so fast
The flying robot is awesome
Hi from Nevada
how fast is the insect drone?
Hey from Mississippi!
Very excited to watch todays live!
Hello from VA! 🙂
So excited for this week!!
Good evening from Louisiana!! The robot’s wings remind me of a dragonfly, no wonder it’s so fast!
i wonder if they will use the wing for planes one day
I’ve noticed a difference between sharks and aquatic mammals. Sharks (and other fish) have tails that move side to side. An aquatic mammal (a dolphin or whale) has a tail that moves up and down.
how long did it take to make the fly
Wow, maybe a camera can be put on the robot.
It’s absolutely amazing how reliable the wings of the robot are, given the incredible speed it flies at.
hi from illinois !
Hi from Florida
We love Science
what makes the robot bug with it’s wings go super fast
This is so interesting!
Hello from Texas!
hi from tx
Hello from Va
I love learning new ways to use Acellus!!!
That is so cool with the little robot insect!
Hi from TX!
I am always in awe whenever I watch science live. These inventors at M.I.T are so awesome!
I can’t wait to see how improved the small robots can get!
What is the function/purpose of a small, insect sized robot?
hi from illinois
Hi there from Central Coast California!
hi from hawaii 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙁
hi from oklahoma
Hi from Georgia
Hi from Florida!
love this
how was that small of a robot able to fly so fast?
Hello from PA! Love Science Live <3! 🙂
Why does the wing look like it is based on wings from the bee?
Great live as always
hello from sc!
what would they use the robotic fly for?
That’s cool
Hello from NC
From Texas, Hiii
what is the drone called again
Great live!
Tiny robots like that could be useful
Hello from Peoria Hights!
Hello from VA
How long did it take them to make the electronic bug?
Hi from North Carolina!! <3
hello from colorado
Hello from Nebraska!
This is very interesting
I liked the part where they showed how artificial bugs are being made to study bug life.
Very cool. I look forward to the Science live every week. I like learning new things.
I love sharks and learning more about them! Lemon Sharks, Whale Sharks, and Nurse Sharks are some of my favorites! Another great live!
Hi from Louisiana
Hello from Pennsylvania!
how do you design the robot to control its self to move that fast with out it failing or breaking?
Hi from NC
What is the planned use of these little bee robots?
I love Science Live! It always has cool stuff!
how far can it go?
I’m working hard on my science fair project
Hello from cold Arkansas!
That’s so cool
Hi from North Carolina
Man, the MIT robots can move fast as a bumble bee that is cool!
Hello from Texas, I’m excited for the live tonight!
so cool
What kinds of things can that drone do?
How long did it take to make it
Has Dr. Roger Billings invented something that can fly?
hi from IL science live is great
Could AI become a system to investigate the internals of insects? Perhaps such findings could reveal ways to create medicines and physical treatments?
Hello from New Orleans!
Hello, Brayden from Delaware…Love Science.!
why would they make this now we have robotic flys they did not need to chrome up flys bro
Hello! From Mississippi!
So excited for Live today! fron TX
Hi from Texas
I’m 10 🙂 I’ve been loving school doing it all day it’s so fun and I love science live :))))))
Hello
Those robots are cool
That is cool what Dr John was showing
Hi from Alabama!
I’m also in Alabama! Hi!
Wow that sounds so cool that a robot can circle 10 times in 12 seconds
hi from tx
im wiliam glad to be here
Hi
Wow how does it move so fast looks like a humming bird!
Hello from North Carolina! I love watching science live
It’s leigha!!!!
i love that
this is kind of a random question. Are there more white blood cells or red or do they have about the same amount.
Hello from Tennessee
Hello from Vermont!
hiii
HI FROM KANSAS 😀
Wow! It moves like a hummingbird!
its very cool something can be built
Awesome
wow that is so cool
Great live show!! Lots to learn!!
Hello from VA!
hi
That’s a cool small robot insect
HEELLLOOO from Wisconsin
Hello from Wisconsin!
Hello from NC!!
oh wow!
do u now how long it took her to make her project
hi here from montana
Hi from Texas!!
Swooping in from Texas!
Loving this science live so far!
hi from nd
Hello from Texas!
Does that robot spy on people?
I like science
Why would we need a flying robot?
I love Science Life and it is awesome
hello from nm
I love science!
hi from florida!