In the latest military robotics news, the U.S. Army is looking for assistance in developing a robotic fly for spying.
The robot flies are intended to be autonomous, which means they will be able to use wings to fly on their own, according to Computerworld. PZT, a material that generates an electric charge when it's under pressure and shifts its shape when electricity is applied to it, is being used to make the wings.
The insect-inspired flying microbots are designed by researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to act as a remote control scout for soldiers in the field and navigate on their own without a GPS. They will be able to carry a variety of features with them, such as laser range finders, cameras, altimeters and sensors that will send back important information.
Today's smallest flying bot weighs 20 grams, but that's huge compared to the bug that another ARL group called the Piezoelectric-Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (PiezoMEMS) Technology team, led by researcher Ronald G. Polacwich, is working on, Computerworld reported.
Polcawich is currently using a program called "Open Campus" to invite civilian developers and investors to help advance the Army's next multi-legged micro-robots. Participants would assist under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements to allow for research to be published in peer-reviewed journals. Outside labs will be able to work on joint projects off campus, and some ARL staffers will be able to work with outside partners during sabbatical, or "entrepreneurial leave."
ARL researcher Selena Russell said it is important for researchers to share their results openly and work together on problems they can't solve alone. The program will allow researchers to make more progress and solve more complex problems by working together.
Polcawich hopes people will participate in Open Campus and improve the develop of "cognitive ability" in the micro-flies so they can keep themselves in the air and on course, Computerworld reported. These little robots are among many projects Polcawich's team is working on, which include IED-defeat systems, tactical radio networks, and positioning, navigation and timing systems.
"The Open Campus effort will hopefully streamline the creative process," Polcawich said.
