Latest news with #RoboBee
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
China shows a 0.6 cm spy drone that is smaller than your fingertip but can paralyse a large army: Watch video
China has revealed a mosquito-like flying robot designed for stealth missions, triggering global concern about its potential use in surveillance, cybercrime, and even biowarfare. Developed by China's National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), the insect-sized drone was recently featured on CCTV 7, the country's official military channel. Tiny, silent, and built for spying At first glance, the drone looks like a harmless insect, with a black stick-like body, delicate yellow wings shaped like leaves, and three wiry legs. However, behind its small frame lies highly sophisticated military engineering designed for intelligence gathering and covert battlefield operations. In a demonstration on state TV, NUDT student Liang Hexiang held up the 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.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bargain Prices on Unsold Container Houses in Cebu - Check Them Out! Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo — jeanlol67573289 (@jeanlol67573289) Built to fly under the radar The device is designed for stealth. It is small enough to blend into natural environments and hard to detect by traditional security systems. Chinese scientists have packed communication gear, sensors, power units, and control electronics into its insect-sized body. The drone's four-winged version can be controlled by a smartphone and is part of NUDT's wider work in bio-inspired robotics, including human-like machines and insect-scale flyers. Live Events Experts warn of hacking, spying, and biowarfare risks Security researchers have raised red flags. Timothy Heath, a defence expert, said such drones could be used by criminals to steal passwords or sensitive data. Tracey Follows, a futurist who previously worked with Google, warned that future versions could 'carry deadly viruses or other harmful materials,' and might operate autonomously — without human control — making them even harder to regulate. Similar to Black Mirror's killer robots? The drone's design has drawn eerie comparisons to the Black Mirror episode Hated in the Nation, where robotic bees are weaponised to assassinate people. Social media users say the technology may look like a toy, but could turn into one of the most dangerous surveillance tools ever created. China's expanding drone arsenal The mosquito drone is not the only innovation on display. Chinese engineers have also developed artillery-launched UAVs that can survive the extreme pressure of being fired from 155mm cannon shells — withstanding forces up to 3,000 times their body weight. Global race in microdrones China is not alone. Norway's Black Hornet — a palm-sized helicopter-style micro-UAV — is already in use by multiple armed forces. Harvard University's RoboBee can switch from water to air and perch on surfaces. The US Air Force has also confirmed ongoing work on small drones, though it has shared few details. More than just military use While these machines are designed for warzones, experts say their applications could extend to medicine, agriculture, and disaster relief. Researchers are exploring their use in precision surgery, crop monitoring, pollution detection, and entering hazardous sites unreachable by humans. What's next? From spying and hacking to potential biological attacks, the rise of insect-sized drones is no longer science fiction. The line between biology and robotics is quickly blurring — and with it, the rules of modern warfare and surveillance.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
China Military Unveils Mosquito-Sized Drones for ‘Special Missions'
A military university in China's Hunan province has unveiled a mosquito-sized drone designed to carry out surveillance while evading detection. "This type of micro-robot is especially suitable for special missions, such as information reconnaissance, on the battlefield," said Liang Hexiang, a student at the National University of Defence Technology, told China Central Television in a June 14 report. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment. Technological advances have enabled sensors, batteries, and other components to be packed into ever smaller frames, enabling development of smaller, lighter, and increasingly sophisticated drones. Miniaturization opens up a host of possibilities, from a low-cost alternative to missiles to search and rescue operations. At the same time, it also raises concerns over personal privacy and criminal exploitation. What To Know The new device, developed at China's National University of Defence Technology, is just 2 centimeters long (under an inch), 3 cm wide (just over an inch), and weighs less than 0.2 grams. It appeared almost weightless between the researcher's fingers in the CCTV broadcast. While the design pushes the limits of miniaturization, similar micro-robotics research has been ongoing elsewhere. Another insectoid robot, Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory's RoboBee, achieves flight by beating its wings 120 times a second with artificial muscles. The goal is for swarms of these tiny robots to one day assist with tasks like rescue missions or artificial pollination. On the military side, slightly larger micro-drones like the Black Hornet-originally developed in Norway and produced by Teledyne FLIR Defense-have boosted situation awareness among dozens of armed forces. The newest Black Hornet 4 can transmit thermal images, cover distances up to 2 miles, and remain airborne for more than 30 minutes, according to the company. Despite their promise, analysts say ultra-tiny drones like the "mosquito" are limited in their potential on the battlefield. Bryce Barros, a security fellow at the Washington, D.C.-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," Timothy Heath, senior international 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. Perhaps most consequential, Barros said, is how UAVs like the National University of Defence Technology's new model could be integrated into China's dual-use drone strategy, particularly when it comes to artificial intelligence and asymmetric warfare, where such technologies can offer an edge against larger conventional forces. Related Articles Tesla Suffers Fresh Blow in EuropeBusiness Optimism Collapses Under TrumpNewsom California Initiative Accused of Links to Chinese Influence NetworkChina Responds to Trump's Cryptic Post About Iran Oil 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
China Military Unveils Mosquito-Sized Drones for 'Special Missions'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A military university in China's Hunan province has unveiled a mosquito-sized drone designed to carry out surveillance while evading detection. "This type of micro-robot is especially suitable for special missions, such as information reconnaissance, on the battlefield," said Liang Hexiang, a student at the National University of Defence Technology, told China Central Television in a June 14 report. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment. Why It Matters Technological advances have enabled sensors, batteries, and other components to be packed into ever smaller frames, enabling development of smaller, lighter, and increasingly sophisticated drones. Miniaturization opens up a host of possibilities, from a low-cost alternative to missiles to search and rescue operations. At the same time, it also raises concerns over personal privacy and criminal exploitation. What To Know The new device, developed at China's National University of Defence Technology, is just 2 centimeters long (under an inch), 3 cm wide (just over an inch), and weighs less than 0.2 grams. It appeared almost weightless between the researcher's fingers in the CCTV broadcast. A student at National University of Defense Technology in Hunan province, China, hold a mosquito-sized drone in a report aired by China Central Television on June 14, 2025. A student at National University of Defense Technology in Hunan province, China, hold a mosquito-sized drone in a report aired by China Central Television on June 14, 2025. CCTV While the design pushes the limits of miniaturization, similar micro-robotics research has been ongoing elsewhere. Another insectoid robot, Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory's RoboBee, achieves flight by beating its wings 120 times a second with artificial muscles. The goal is for swarms of these tiny robots to one day assist with tasks like rescue missions or artificial pollination. On the military side, slightly larger micro-drones like the Black Hornet—originally developed in Norway and produced by Teledyne FLIR Defense—have boosted situation awareness among dozens of armed forces. The newest Black Hornet 4 can transmit thermal images, cover distances up to 2 miles, and remain airborne for more than 30 minutes, according to the company. Despite their promise, analysts say ultra-tiny drones like the "mosquito" are limited in their potential on the battlefield. What People Are Saying Bryce Barros, a security fellow at the Washington, D.C.-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," Timothy Heath, senior international 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. What's Next Perhaps most consequential, Barros said, is how UAVs like the National University of Defence Technology's new model could be integrated into China's dual-use drone strategy, particularly when it comes to artificial intelligence and asymmetric warfare, where such technologies can offer an edge against larger conventional forces.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
RoboBee outfitted with reliable landing gear enables safe touchdowns for tiny robots
Nature has perfected the art of landing. From delicate flies to buzzing bees, insects navigate complex aerial maneuvers and touchdown with high precision. But for human-made flying robots, especially those at the insect scale, landing safely has been a significant challenge. Drawing inspiration from insects, researchers at Harvard University have engineered a landing gear and control strategy that allows miniature flying robots to achieve safe landings on different types of surfaces. It was applied to Harvard's RoboBee – a tiny flapping-wing robot. 'RoboBee is an excellent platform to explore the interface of biology and robotics,' said Alyssa Hernandez, co-author. 'Seeking bioinspiration within the amazing diversity of insects offers us countless avenues to continue improving the robot. Reciprocally, we can use these robotic platforms as tools for biological research, producing studies that test biomechanical hypotheses,' Hernandez said. The team studied the long, jointed legs of the crane fly, an insect known for its slow, deliberate movements. These legs appear perfectly designed to absorb impact and ensure a gentle touchdown. Inspired by this natural design, the engineers outfitted the RoboBee with its own set of long, double-jointed legs. These new appendages are designed to cushion the impact as the robot transitions from air to ground, protecting its delicate components. The Harvard team has continuously improved the RoboBee's insect-like flight. It can fly, dive, and hover. But this robot is a bit delicate as it weighs only a tenth of a gram and has a wingspan of a mere three centimeters. Due to its small size, the RoboBee is significantly affected by the "ground effect.' It is the turbulent air generated by its flapping wings near a surface, similar to a helicopter's downdraft. Christian Chan, a graduate student and co-first author on the paper, spearheaded the mechanical redesign. He explains that these legs are crucial for safeguarding the RoboBee's fragile piezoelectric actuators – the powerful "muscles" that enable flight but are easily damaged by rough landings. 'The successful landing of any flying vehicle relies on minimizing the velocity as it approaches the surface before impact and dissipating energy quickly after the impact,' said Nak-seung Patrick Hyun, the co-first author, now an assistant professor at Purdue University. 'Even with the tiny wing flaps of RoboBee, the ground effect is non-negligible when flying close to the surface, and things can get worse after the impact as it bounces and tumbles,' Hyun explained. But the new legs are only half the story. The RoboBee has also received a software update – an improved controller, or "brain," that helps it adapt to the troublesome ground effect. The updated controller enables the robot to slow down upon approach, resulting in a gentle landing instead of a hard crash. The team successfully tested these controlled landings on both rigid surfaces and even delicate leaves. While currently tethered for power and control, the team's long-term goal is full autonomy for the RoboBee. The RoboBee's safe landing capability creates exciting prospects for future uses. For instance, it could be used in monitoring the environment and surveying disaster zones. Moreover, Chan is particularly enthusiastic about the potential for artificial pollination, envisioning swarms of RoboBees assisting in vertical farms and future gardens. The findings were published in the journal Science Robotics.
