Pentagon’s Robotic Hummingbird
Posted on July 15th, 2009
Recently a video was uploaded in you tube showing the latest invention of the US to be used for defensive tactics.
The place where the US is developing its technologies that are similar to those shown in the movie Men In Black is known as Darpa under the Defense Science Office (DSO). A flapping robot-sentinel is what Darpa has been working on. The company which has been working on the development of the gadget is Aerovironment. They have been working since September of 2007 under the $2.1 million budget granted by Darpa.
The gadget is a hovering air vehicle carrying its own power source and is using flapping wings- a first of its kind. Darpa is expecting the hummingbird to be useful in conducting surveillances both indoor and outdoor and to serve as a vehicle for dropping off devices for monitoring conversations and other cargo used as super- spy.
Upon seeing the video clips of the progress on the new gadget, it has earned different reactions from other people. Others are questioning the trouble that can be brought about by its design. Some say that building a tiny helicopter could have been better. Apparently, the latest invention is expected to fly with far greater airborne effectiveness that is why it was patterned to birds’ wings rather than helicopters’ rotary blades. This type of craft would eventually pilot more flight with each refuel. The next model that they will come up with will be more resistant to wind, produces lesser noise, faster by having a maximum speed of 22 mph, and is expected to be even smaller that would only weigh around 10 grams.
With this newest invention, it has been proven once more that humans have gone far when it comes to technology. Let us just hope that this will be properly used in penetrating the enemies’ territory and in gathering information to be used defensively and not to be used against us by other people with who have the intention of bringing chaos.
