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  • SUNDAY JULY 22 2007 4:00 AM

You're Gonna Need More Than a Fly-Swatter for this Little Pest

Submitted by Rahodeb

Edited by Rahodeb

Tags: robotic fly harvard



There's a new man-made bug to be reckoned with, but it's not a germ, a strain of bacteria, or a fungus: it's a robotic fly, and it made its first flight this week at Harvard University.

A life-size, robotic fly has taken flight at Harvard University. Weighing only 60 milligrams, with a wingspan of three centimeters, the tiny robot's movements are modeled on those of a real fly. While much work remains to be done on the mechanical insect, the researchers say that such small flying machines could one day be used as spies, or for detecting harmful chemicals.

This is not the first robot designed to mimic an insect, however it is the first two-winged robot that has been built on such a small scale, and that uses the same motions as a real fly to lift off. While it's currently limited by a tether that keeps it moving in a straight, upward direction, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—the group funding the project—is hoping that the little buggers will ultimately function well enough to be used on the battlefield and in urban environments as stealth surveillance robots.

Tiny, lightweight sensors need to be integrated as well. Chemical sensors could be used, for example, to detect toxic substances in hazardous areas so that people can go into the area with the appropriate safety gear.

What about robotic mosquitoes that can stealthily draw blood and test DNA? Or venomous robotic insects that can administer tranquilizers, or even poisons? The swarms are coming...

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Comments
Holdenwrites

Holdenwrites

Miami, FL
December 2004

JUL 22, 2007 06:14 AM

As much as I'd like to use a pun right now, the only ones I can think of are so horrendous, they're sure to destroy what little good is left in the world.

meatpieboy

meatpieboy

Korea, D.P.R.
June 2004

JUL 22, 2007 06:53 AM

DARPA is so wrong it's cool.


(Dark Arts Research Projects Agency anyone?)

Sesshomaru

Sesshomaru

Keene, NH
January 2004

JUL 22, 2007 06:56 AM

they just to need to invent robotic poop for it to hover around now robot

Ryndollyn

Ryndollyn

Japan
October 2006

JUL 22, 2007 07:09 AM

Anybody ever read Jeff Noons Nymphomation? Blurbflies!!

Rory_B_Bellows

Rory_B_Bellows

Dallas, TX
April 2007

JUL 22, 2007 07:33 AM

Rahodeb said: What about robotic mosquitoes that can stealthily draw blood and test DNA? Or venomous robotic insects that can administer tranquilizers, or even poisons? The swarms are coming...



that was the first thing that popped into my head when i read the first line.

Zarth

zarth

Seattle, WA
December 2004

JUL 22, 2007 07:36 AM

Eternalexile said:

Rahodeb said: What about robotic mosquitoes that can stealthily draw blood and test DNA? Or venomous robotic insects that can administer tranquilizers, or even poisons? The swarms are coming...


that was the first thing that popped into my head when i read the first line.


I'm sure these things will come in very handy in the upcoming Human-Cylon War - for the enemy.

And here you were all this time worrying about zombies.

Rory_B_Bellows

Rory_B_Bellows

Dallas, TX
April 2007

JUL 22, 2007 07:41 AM

well where do you think the zombies are gonna come from? the machines will use the robo-flys to inject people with robo-viruses to turn them into zombies. that thins out the human population and makes it easier to overthrow.


duh.

RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

I'm lost
January 2006

JUL 22, 2007 07:45 AM

Zarth said:

Eternalexile said:

Rahodeb said: What about robotic mosquitoes that can stealthily draw blood and test DNA? Or venomous robotic insects that can administer tranquilizers, or even poisons? The swarms are coming...


that was the first thing that popped into my head when i read the first line.


I'm sure these things will come in very handy in the upcoming Human-Cylon War - for the enemy.

And here you were all this time worrying about zombies.



The Zombies, in conjunction with the NSA, are under the supervision of the Cylons, which ultimately answer to Skynet.

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

We're through the looking glass here, people.

RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

I'm lost
January 2006

JUL 22, 2007 07:47 AM

oyaji said:
Forget all that shit. Who's going to do something about the microchips in my teeth?





Well, well, well... If it isn't the tooth fairy.

Cigarette

Cigarette

Cleveland, OH
April 2004

JUL 22, 2007 08:16 AM

I hope that thing isn't in the room when they test the teleportation device. We'll wind up with Brundleflyborgs.

scylis

scylis

USA
November 2004

JUL 22, 2007 10:13 AM

Zarth said:

Eternalexile said:

Rahodeb said: What about robotic mosquitoes that can stealthily draw blood and test DNA? Or venomous robotic insects that can administer tranquilizers, or even poisons? The swarms are coming...


that was the first thing that popped into my head when i read the first line.


I'm sure these things will come in very handy in the upcoming Human-Cylon War - for the enemy.

And here you were all this time worrying about zombies.



nah, as before, we're safe from the Cylon menace so long as we have Rick Springfield on our side.

pastthetaste

pastthetaste

I'm lost
February 2004

JUL 22, 2007 02:05 PM

dont be lazy when the robots go crazy

Serial

Serial

SUICIDEGIRL

USA

JUL 22, 2007 04:54 PM

magpieboy said:
DARPA is so wrong it's cool.


(Dark Arts Research Projects Agency anyone?)



+1

stigmatamartyr13

stigmatamartyr13

Indianapolis, IN
February 2007

JUL 23, 2007 04:34 AM

nice to know a government agency is funding this. soon, they'll be in everyone's household, and the second you dare to exercise your right to free speech in the "privacy" of your own home, the S.S. will be kicking down your door to haul you away smile

god i love this country

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