July 31, 2007: Mechanical housefly

[Undertoad]

xoB, who also found yesterday's image but got no credit for it (belated thanks), sends along this item from Technology Review. Harvard researchers have developed the world's first mechanical housefly.

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.

"Nature makes the world's best fliers," says Robert Wood, leader of Harvard's robotic-fly project and a professor at the university's school of engineering and applied sciences.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding Wood's research in the hope that it will lead to stealth surveillance robots for the battlefield and urban environments. The robot's small size and fly-like appearance are critical to such missions. "You probably wouldn't notice a fly in the room, but you certainly would notice a hawk," Wood says.

Luckily the same simple aluminum foil used to combat government mind rays can be used against this beast. Just attach the foil to the end of your fly-swatter, and bam!

[yesman065]

That is awesome - "Will it be available in time for christmas? I wanna fly it around my kids heads in the morning.

[Uisge Beatha]

Let's see, we go from technology fighting natural pests to technology creating them. Perhaps the next logical step is for nature to fight our pests. Wouldn't it be funny (yet sad in terms of the wasted expense) for a mechanical insect spy to be slammed out of action by an animal's tail?

[Flint]

...researchers say that such small flying machines could one day be used as spies, or for detecting harmful chemicals.

Real, live wasps are also being trained as chemical detectors (admittedly, not while in flight).

[spudcon]

I think I saw several of those spying on my dog's poop.

[xoxoxoBruce]

What have you been feeding that dog... or is this a case of the government stirring up shit?

This is just what all the paranoid skitzos in the world need... oh yeah... "they have robot houseflies with cameras on them... and probably CHEMICALS TOO!!!" oh yeah... just what they fucking need... oh... wait....

[Weird Harold]

So somebody woke up one morning, and said to themselves, "I don't think there are enough flies in the world. Let's make more."

We are getting new window installed in our house, and most of the world's fly population is in my house right now. I wonder how many of them are spying on me right now, and reporting my subversive behavior.

[Uisge Beatha]

Originally Posted by Weird Harold

I wonder how many of them are spying on me right now, and reporting my subversive behavior.

Dammit! Bravo-1-9, we have been made. Recall the surveillance drones. Over.

[Sheldonrs]

Can you catch robot fish with it?

[dar512]

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

Can you catch robot fish with it?

<obscure Philip K. Dick reference>No, but they can be eaten by mechanical frogs.</Dick>

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Uisge Beatha

Dammit! Bravo-1-9, we have been made. Recall the surveillance drones. Over.

I do believe that subject is being explored.

[Anada]

Originally Posted by Weird Harold

So somebody woke up one morning, and said to themselves, "I don't think there are enough flies in the world. Let's make more."

We are getting new window installed in our house, and most of the world's fly population is in my house right now. I wonder how many of them are spying on me right now, and reporting my subversive behavior.

That is exactly what I thought when I saw the title of this thread... maybe scientists are getting ready for when finally all flies die and bees and wasps...and they need to use robots to carry polen from flower to flower...

Spy-fly is watching you masturbate.

Spy-fly's servos are clogged with... *crash*