One of the most common trope in science-fiction is robots and using robots as ways to maintain surveillance and learn new information about both friends and enemies. While many ideas and technologies in science-fiction are too improbable or too advanced for what we have at the moment, the idea of robotics has been steadily gaining traction and there is current research into developing a number of robotic technologies that could be used by our military and security forces for a number of different reasons ranging from fire-support and shielding during combat to stealthy reconnaissance on enemies.
As the future continues to become the present, the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has announced that they are getting closer and closer to having developed a working robotic insect that could be used for surveillance and stealth. The recent completion of a pair of tiny robotic wings that measure only 3-5 centimeters means that the the likelihood of robotic insects being used for defense purposes has increased dramatically. While actual flight still hasn’t been tested, the researchers were able to create lift using the tiny wings and that’s the first step towards a working prototype. The wings are made of lead zirconium titanate (also known as PZT) which can create motion when under an electrical field or an applied voltage for a specific purpose.
The researchers who created the wings have also designed functioning motors that measure only 2-3 millimeters and a series of robotic legs for a robot that would look like a millipede. While the fact that there are wings and a motor are huge steps towards the creation of a fully functioning robotic insect, the researchers at ARL still say they are 10-15 years away from creating one that will fully work. The algorithms needed to get the robot to fly and act like a true insect are still ways away and there are a number of other aspects that need creating and fine-tuning. That being said, with a number of other organization working towards the same end goal (including Harvard University), there is a chance that the groups will work together to have this ready for use sooner than expected. Either way, this sort of technology will revolutionize intelligence gathering in warfare.
If you’d like to read more, the link is here.
