Insect robots to take part in war
Robot flies could be the latest step in gathering enemy energy
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Monday, 09, Oct 2006 03:50
Insect-like robots are set to become the latest weapon in gaining information from the enemy during wartime.
Scientists at Cranfield University are carrying out work to develop the robots to enable them to fly into enemy areas and send back intelligence via a transmitter.
Speaking on the Today programme, Dr Rafal Zbikowski said that the need for such a device had become evident in the past eight years.
"In 1998 there was a need for indirect reconnaissance as opposed to other reconnaissance which required something flying inside buildings, tunnels, shafts or caves," he said.
Explaining the concept behind the James Bond-style gadgets, the university's principal research officer added: "We take the principles of insect flight and implement them by engineering means.
"If you consider what is necessary for indoor flying, it is a low speed high manoeuvrability capable of vertical take off and landing, and all this has to be achieved with power efficiency.
"It turns out that miniature aircraft or helicopters can do it one way or another, but insects are a perfect, proven solution which can achieve that. Hence my interest in insect-like micro-vehicles," he added.