Switched has a new home! Huffpost Tech.

Click here to visit the new home of Switched!

Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

Bug Sized Spy-Bots Headed for the Battlefield

by Terrence O'Brien on November 24, 2008 at 12:03 PM

Bug Sized Spy-Bots Headed for the Battlefield

We haven't even seen the Bat yet, the flying spy-bot from the University of Michigan, and already researchers are talking about even further miniaturization in the realm of robotic spooks. According to the Associated Press, the U.S> Army is doing research on Micro Aerial Vehicles, or MAVs, which are essentially robotic bees that could be released as a swarm and blanket a city undetected. The tiny surveillance robots could be as small as a bumble bee and hide on streets or in buildings feeding video and audio to military personnel.

The MAVs would help identify and monitor potential targets. The Army even believes that they could be equipped with tiny weapons for attacking foes. It foresees insect-sized bots strapped with chemicals or explosives.

We see the clear tactical advantage that these tiny spies provide on the battlefield. Still, we can't help but fear the possibility that they may be turned against us. It wouldn't be the first time. [From: AP/AOL News]

Tags: mav, mavs, micro aerial vehicles, MicroAerialVehicles, military, research, spy, surveillance, upcoming

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular