By CNET News.com staff on 17 March 2008 11:53
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The US Army wants a six-inch spy plane to gather data on sights, sounds and smells in urban combat areas.
It has given the University of Michigan's College of Engineering $10m and five years to help make "the bat" plane happen.
Researchers plan to equip the plane with tiny cameras for stereo vision, directional microphones and devices that detect nuclear radiation and poisonous gas.
Photo credit: Eric Maslowski, research computer specialist, University of Michigan 3D Lab
Comments
There are 5 comments. Join the discussion
1. Karen Challinor
and how is batman going to get in that ?
it's much too small and there isn't even a seat for robin
2. MusicFan
Has anyone seen the Jim Henson film "The Dark Crystal" ?
I wonder if they got the idea for these from the "Crystal bats" in the film.
In the film the Skeksis (Evil dictators) use these bats to search and report back information. What the bats could see, the Skeksis also could see.
Disturbing similarity!
3. boris
Where can you buy a big fly swater??
4. j-mac
o snap this is hot!!
5. Maria
Next step: Search and Rescue "Rats/cats". Attracted by scent/body heat. Communication ear buds/drugs/nutrient/hydration gel packs delivered to trapped victims.
The mils fund the research so we better well use it.
Or how about these little critters being applied in campus security solutions? By land owners and ranchers? Forest and wildlife agents or park rangers?
Interesting ideas already floating around out there.
One thing though, they will have to make them Hawk/bird of pray proof. :P