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The Print
03-07-2025
- Science
- The Print
It looks like a mosquito, flies like one. It's China's newest micro-drone prototype
The bionic microdrone was first displayed on China's state-run military broadcaster, CCTV-7 . 'Here in my hand is a mosquito-like robot,' Liang Hexiang, a student at the NUDT, said on the broadcast. 'Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield,' he added. Its wings flap at 500 times per second. Its size makes it almost undetectable by conventional radar systems. It has a stick-thin body, packed heavily with sensors and it is engineered in a way that it looks like a mosquito. New Delhi: It is 2 cm long and weighs 0.3 grams. It has two tiny wings and three spindly legs. No, it's not an insect, but China's new military drone that could change the game of covert warfare forever. Developed in a robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China's Hunan province, the micro-drone can also potentially be used to revolutionise various industries and services. Media reports suggest the micro-drones could be deployed in swarms for warfare and espionage purposes. However, experts say, so far there is no evidence yet that the displayed prototype can be deployed for field operations. China is actively researching swarm technologies to get the micro-drones in action, but has encountered several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is their extremely limited power, sufficient only for indoor flights. The weight and height of the drone, though largely an advantage in stealth operations, do come with payload constraints. Fitting cameras, microphones and communication interceptors is a major engineering challenge. Outdoor use, at this nascent stage, is impractical as even a mild wind can destabilise the micro-drone. At present, the dream of a mosquito-size drone remains restricted to an experimental laboratory. Bryce Barros, a security fellow at the Washington-based Truman National Security Project, told Newsweek: 'The impact of this mosquito-sized drone on wartime surveillance will likely be minimal due to its limited capacity, short range, and presumable short battery life.' Despite the limitations of the mosquito drone, there is speculation that, with modifications, it could see the light of day outside a laboratory. So the potential impact and scope of these nearly invisible surveillance tools is still an exciting prospect. From military reconnaissance to civilian misuse, the purpose of these microdrones lies in the hands of the user. It can infiltrate areas beyond the reach of conventional weapons, while the use of drones for civilian spying and industrial and political espionage cannot be denied. However, its ability to gather information without getting detected presents legal and ethical dilemmas. Timothy Heath, senior defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, told The Telegraph: 'If China is able to produce mosquito-sized drones, it would likely be interested in using them for various intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, especially in places that larger drones struggle to access, such as indoor areas.' Other countries too have already sensed the shift in modern warfare technologies and are increasingly exploring miniaturisation. Norway has developed a palm-sized helicopter-style micro-UAV, dubbed the 'Black Hornet', already in use by multiple armed forces, including the US military. The 'Black Hornet' comes with built-in cameras and sensors, controlled by a small handheld unit. In 2019, Harvard scientists published updated research papers of their 'RoboBee' model, which looks very similar to the Chinese microdrone. Some versions of the 'RoboBee' 'transition from swimming underwater to flying' or 'perch on surfaces using static electricity,' according to Harvard's Wyss Institute. It also claimed to build an autonomous UAV that could be used for surveillance to agricultural and environmental monitoring. The current prototype built by NUDT remains a lab demo as China steps into the domain of global micro aerial vehicles, providing a glimpse into a future where warfare and spycraft will not be measured in rockets or tanks but in millimetres. Dedipya Agarwal is an intern who graduated from ThePrint School of Journalism (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Army successfully tests indigenous FPV armed drone like those deployed in Ukraine war
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's mosquito-sized drone, how exercise slows ageing: 7 science highlights
We have put together stories from our coverage on science from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing A robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China's Hunan province has developed a mosquito-sized drone for covert military operations. Chinese researchers say they have developed the world's first highly parallel optical computing integrated chip, named 'Meteor-1'. Photo: Handout Chinese researchers have developed the first highly parallel optical computing integrated chip, named 'Meteor-1', setting a milestone for using light to perform an enormous number of operations at the same time, the scientists say.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
China unveils mosquito-sized spy drone designed for covert military operations
Source: X China has introduced a drone as small as a mosquito, marking a significant step forward in surveillance and covert technology. Developed by scientists at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in Hunan province, the micro aerial vehicle is engineered to mimic a mosquito's form, with leaf-like wings, thin legs, and a vertical black fuselage. Demonstration footage aired on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows the device perching lightly on a student's fingertip, underscoring its diminutive size and potential stealth. In the video, Liang Hexiang, an NUDT student involved in the project, describes it as a 'mosquito-like robot type' suitable for battlefield reconnaissance and special tasks. What the drone actually is The drone measures around 1–2 cm in length, weighing approximately 0.3 grams. It has two transparent wings that flap in a motion resembling insect flight, and three slender legs enhancing its mosquito-like appearance. Its design allows it to rest on human skin or fingertips, as shown in the demonstration. The drone was developed as part of NUDT's research into micro flapping-wing aerial vehicles, a field with significant military interest due to its potential for discreet surveillance. Technical realities and limitations While headlines have framed the drone as a near-future espionage tool, there are crucial constraints: Battery life: Such micro drones have extremely limited power, often only sufficient for brief indoor flights. Payload limitations: Fitting functional cameras, microphones, or communication interceptors remains a major engineering challenge due to weight and energy constraints. Control stability: Outdoor use is impractical at this stage, as even mild wind can destabilise the drone. Current tests are confined to controlled indoor environments. Speculation about operational use Some reports and online commentary suggest these drones could be deployed in swarms for battlefield saturation or mass espionage. However, there is no evidence that the showcased prototype has been operationally deployed or integrated into swarm systems. China, like the US, is actively researching drone swarm technologies, but these involve larger drones capable of carrying sensors and maintaining stable communication. At present, mosquito-sized drones remain experimental laboratory prototypes rather than field-ready assets. Broader implications Despite its limitations, the mosquito drone highlights a future where surveillance tools will shrink to nearly invisible scales. This raises significant ethical and security concerns: Military reconnaissance: Micro drones could infiltrate areas unreachable by conventional devices. Civilian misuse: There is potential for spying on political leaders, activists, or corporate meetings. Privacy erosion: The ability to gather information without detection challenges current legal and ethical frameworks governing surveillance. Experts warn that as such technologies mature, traditional security systems may be inadequate to detect or defend against micro-scale surveillance, requiring new countermeasures and international norms. The road ahead China's mosquito-sized drone joins global micro aerial vehicle research efforts, such as DARPA's RoboBee in the United States and insect-inspired drones at other Chinese universities. While the current NUDT prototype remains a lab demonstration, it is a glimpse into a future where spycraft, warfare, and intelligence gathering are measured not in missiles and tanks, but in millimetres and milligrams.
Euronews
27-06-2025
- Science
- Euronews
China unveils tiny spy drone that looks like a mosquito
A Chinese defence research institution has revealed a spy drone that closely resembles a mosquito. The bionic microdrone was showcased on China's state-run military broadcaster, CCTV-7, on June 20. 'Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot,' Liang Hexiang, a student at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), told the broadcaster. 'Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield,' he added. About 2 cm long and weighing just 0.3 grams, the insect-inspired device features two tiny wings and three spindly legs. The wings can flap at 500 times per second, according to a Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo. The stick-thin body is packed with sensors intended for covert surveillance and other military operations. The team also introduced a prototype with four wings controllable by a smartphone, according to the South China Morning Post. While the report did not reveal exactly what sort of data it can collect, experts say, its minuscule size would make it difficult to detect using conventional radar systems. Microdrones on trend Microdrones like these are becoming increasingly common in modern warfare. Several countries are actively exploring or already deploying similar technologies in the field. For example, Norway's palm-sized helicopter-style micro-UAV, dubbed Black Hornet, is already in use by multiple armed forces, including the US military. The pocket-sized drone uses cameras and thermal imaging for quick, stealthy reconnaissance. In 2006, the US Department of Defence's secretive DARPA lab launched a project named Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (HI-MEMS) to create 'insect cyborgs' by placing micro-mechanical systems inside the insects.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
What is China's mosquito drone? Capable of capturing images, audio & electronic signals
NEW DELHI: China showcased a miniature, insect-like drone designed for covert surveillance missions, drawing global attention and concern over its potential military and espionage uses. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Developed by the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), the drone is just 1.3 cm long and weighs less than 0.3 grams. It was unveiled on the Chinese military broadcaster CCTV-7 as part of an exhibit on next-generation robotic systems. In a demonstration aired over the weekend, NUDT student researcher Liang Hexiang held up the ultra-light robot and said, 'Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield.' The drone, resembling a real mosquito, is equipped with two leaf-shaped wings, a slender black body, and three fine wire-like legs. It can reportedly operate silently and without radar detection, carrying ultra-miniature cameras and microphones to capture images, sounds, and electronic signals. Its small size makes it ideal for indoor surveillance, even inside secure government or military facilities. Representative AI image According to The Defense Post, the device's compact build enables it to evade conventional detection systems and operate in confined spaces — a feature that has raised alarms among privacy advocates and military analysts. Experts warn that such drones could be exploited for espionage, cyber intrusions, or even biological warfare. 'This could mean greater access to restricted areas such as secure government facilities,' noted Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University's Centre for Security and Emerging Technology. 'If China is able to produce mosquito-sized drones, it would likely be interested in using them for various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks, especially in places that larger drones struggle to access, such as indoor areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These drones could be used to track individuals or listen in on conversations.' Other experts are raising more dystopian concerns. Tracey Follows, a futurist and former Google advisor, told The Sun that such drones could be used for 'untraceable murders' or carry pathogens, referencing a Black Mirror episode in which robotic insects were weaponised for targeted killings. 'In time, one expects a drone to have the situational awareness to carry out an attack autonomously without a human in the loop,' she said. 'The big question is what's the payload on these drones, what are you actually attaching to the drone?' The mosquito-sized UAV is part of a broader NUDT programme exploring micro-robotics, with parallel developments including artillery-launched drones that can survive the extreme conditions of being fired from 155mm cannon shells. These innovations reflect China's ambition to lead in micro-UAV technology, a field seeing increasing global competition. Other countries have made strides in this area. Norway's Black Hornet, developed by Teledyne FLIR Defence, is already used by militaries worldwide. The latest version, the Black Hornet 4, won the 2025 Blue UAS Refresh award from the US Department of Defence for advancements in battery life, signal range, and wind resistance. Meanwhile, Harvard University's RoboBee project has demonstrated insect-sized drones that can transition from water to air and even perch on surfaces using static electricity. Beyond military applications, microdrones are being explored for civilian use in medicine, agriculture, and disaster response. In healthcare, they could enable precision drug delivery or internal imaging. In environmental monitoring, their small size allows access to hazardous zones during floods, fires, or chemical spills. Still, with their stealth capabilities and growing autonomy, these tiny machines are poised to become one of the most ethically and strategically complex technologies of the decade.
