Six-Inch Robotic Bat to Go to War

No, this little electronic marvel is not built for attack or defense. It’s being designed as a sensor to relay information back to advancing soldiers about the environment they are entering into, detecting potential hazards such as poisonous gas, nuclear radiation, and performing numerous surveillance operations. Basically it’s a super cool teeny little spy plane!

The US Army has given the University of Michigan College of Engineering a $10 million dollar grant in order to help make their flying wonder a reality. This grant brought the University of Michigan Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology (appropriately known as COMBAT for short) into existence.

Why a bat? Bats have ultra highly attuned senses and are able to navigate precisely even in pitch black conditions, which is what the Army wants their robot to be able to achieve.

See the full story at:
http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=6409

If we’re lucky enough, they’ll release a toy version for use at home (OK, don’t hold your breath). This thing does look like fun!