Israel adding to global animalbot army with "bionic hornets" By Cyrus Farivar posted November 17th 2006 5:55PM

Israel thinks that the best way to think big is to think small. Reuters reports that the country will be researching the use of nanotechnology to fight militants within its borders over the next few years. Among the proposed projects are a set of "super gloves" that would give the wearer the power of a "bionic man," as well as tiny sensors to find suicide bombers. However, our favorite is a "bionic hornet" -- no bigger than a real hornet -- which would have the ability to "chase, photograph and kill its targets." While the bionic hornet hasn't actually been built yet, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said that prototypes for the new weapons could be expected by 2010. Americans, don't worry, we've already got our own insect cyborgs, attack dolphins, spy turtles and remote-controlled sharks underway, which should be ready within three years to counter any sissy hornets, bionic or otherwise.

Other ideas include miniature sensors to detect suicide bombers and "bionic man" gloves that would give the user super-human strength. Prototypes for the new weapons could be ready within three years, Peres said.

Monocopter
Updated: 03/28/2011

Spiral Flight Inspired Hovering Aircraft

Evan Ulrich / License

Kobako / License About the Product

Company: University of Maryland Clarke School of Engineering (Evan Ulrich) Product Phase: Under development Product Type: micro-rotorcraft Patent Name: pending Inspiring Strategies Leading edge of seed creates vortex lift: maple > Seedpod autorotates: sycamore > Product or process "The wing of the vehicle is designed to function in the same way as natural samara and performs a stable autorotation during descent. The propulsive section of the vehicle functions like the tail rotor on a helicopter, though instead of preventing rotation, (as in the case of a helicopter), it maintains rotation (to allow it to hover)." Challenges solved Stabilized flight for mono-wing micro craft. Differences from existing products Existing functions include aerial surveillance or remote sensing. These are typically done with expensive aircraft, or professional pilots. As a micro-copter the change in platform and cost allows significant savings of energy and materials for similar performance. It reduces the need for professional training, and removes heavy and costly equipment. The biomimicry story Through careful study of how a maple seed behaves as it spirals through the air the scientists were able to understand what aspects of the micro-copter should use the monowing design and what aspects needed a different solution. Until this was understood, all micro-copters based on single wing designs were unstable. Because of this, the research team has designed the smallest known microcopter.