Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Hummingbird sized U.S. Drone

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110301/ap_on_re_us/us_hummingbird_drone

SAN DIEGO – You'll never look at hummingbirds the same again.
The Pentagon has poured millions of dollars into the development of tiny drones inspired by biology, each equipped with video and audio equipment that can record sights and sounds.
They could be used to spy, but also to locate people inside earthquake-crumpled buildings and detect hazardous chemical leaks.
The smaller, the better.
Besides the hummingbird, engineers in the growing unmanned aircraft industry are working on drones that look like insects and the helicopter-like maple leaf seed.
Researchers are even exploring ways to implant surveillance and other equipment into an insect as it is undergoing metamorphosis. They want to be able to control the creature.
The devices could end up being used by police officers and firefighters. end quote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k_BzTu92Nc

The youtube above is the hummingbird drone in action.

What is interesting to me is what kind of battery powers this thing when it is this small? I wonder how long it can fly without running down the batteries?

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