Harvard University's robotic fly takes flight

In a move sure to enkindle flying robotic creatures everywhere, a new species is finally ready to join the gang, as a "life-size, robotic fly has taken flight at Harvard University." The diminutive creation weighs just 60-milligrams, sports a three-centimeter wingspan, and has been developed to boast movements "modeled on those of a real fly." Notably, this isn't the first time we've seen researchers rely on the works of nature in order to craft their own mechanical beings, and given the fly's innate ability to be an excellent spy or chemical detection agent, it's no shock to hear that DARPA is reportedly sponsoring the endeavor. As expected, taking flight was simply the first step in a long line of improvements to come, as the man behind the machine is now looking to integrate an onboard battery and create a flight controller so that the robot can move in different directions.

[Tis---strange @ Jul 19th 2007 9:09AM]

I´ll never kill a fly again. It might cost a fortune ^

[codehead @ Jul 19th 2007 6:34PM]

:o)

[Wolfticket @ Jul 19th 2007 9:16AM]

Isn't 60 grams actually a huge amount of weight for something that big that is meant to fly? My phone is about 100.

[Not 60 grams!! @ Jul 19th 2007 12:15PM]

60 mg = 60 miligrams = 60/1000 grams = 0.06 grams

[Vinay @ Jul 19th 2007 11:56AM]

60 MILLIgrams. That is 0.060 grams.

[Wolfticket @ Jul 19th 2007 8:51PM]

You wah?! I fought millegram was lik a mileon grams?! (or maybe I was pointing out a mistake in the original article that has now been corrected?!)

[Phillip Lamb @ Jul 19th 2007 9:18AM]

I, for one, welcome our robotic fly overlords. Just you keep'a off'a my salad.

[Mickey Jones @ Jul 19th 2007 10:12PM]

I, for one, welcome our poop loving overlords.

[pauly @ Jul 19th 2007 9:31AM]

Sounds like these Harvard folks should go to the Flying Insect & Robot Symposium. Cool workshops such as The Cyborg Fly.

http://www.robotliving.com/2007/07/04/get-your-swarm-on/

[Ant @ Jul 19th 2007 9:39AM]

Now this is more like an invention. A fly I can control. I'd build an army and declare war on wasps, not bee's, I might hunt a few bumble bee's down for their fur's. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to put some kind of computer chip, electrical thing on a real flies head (maybe a small helmet with goggles and everthin) and fly that about.

[codehead @ Jul 19th 2007 9:22PM]

Heh, heh, heh.....a fly with a helmet and goggles....picture that!

[damian @ Jul 19th 2007 9:39AM]

I'm pretty sure that is supposed to be 60mg.

You can see the individual components are measured in mg, the original article got it wrong too.

http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/%7Eronf/MFI/index.html

[Pal @ Jul 19th 2007 9:47AM]

60 grams or 6 grams?

[Vinay @ Jul 19th 2007 12:50PM]

Neither.

0.06 grams.

[tiuk @ Jul 19th 2007 10:28AM]

It always amuses me when somebody refers to it as "Harvard University". As opposed to what, Harvard School of Meat Cutting?

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 19th 2007 12:11PM]

Sir I represent The Harvard School of Meatcutting and we insist you stop this defamation immediately!

[Mickey Jones @ Jul 19th 2007 10:29PM]

Wanna have some fun? Ring the buzzer at the meat case. When the dude comes out, scream "You butcher!"

[Botox @ Jul 19th 2007 11:21AM]

My gosh, the thoughts, uses, and opportunities are endless:
1. Now there's finally a market for my robotic fly-swatter!
2. Will "Raid" work?
3. Being a fly on the wall has gotten so much easier (e.g. corporate espionage)
4. Hazardous investigations will become easier (hopefully).

and many more serious and not so serious thoughts.

[Peter @ Jul 19th 2007 12:11PM]

Ladies charge up your personal EMP before going to the bathroom.

[aeo @ Jul 19th 2007 11:22AM]

Video: http://www.technologyreview.com/player/07/07/19Ross/1.aspx

[aeo @ Jul 19th 2007 11:25AM]

oh and slow motion wing beat video: http://www.technologyreview.com/player/07/07/19Ross/2.aspx

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 19th 2007 11:58AM]

-but you ain't never seen a Donkey fly!

[mulder @ Jul 19th 2007 1:00PM]

and in the morning, I'm making waffles!

[EDomain @ Jul 19th 2007 12:08PM]

Oh Lord, seriously??? First, we have robotic water walkers. Now we have robotic flies. And, of course, once they can carry payloads and become sentient, you will not be able to escape-- the water walkers will hunt you in aqua zones, and the fliest will catch you above ground.

Humanity's last hope-- living in friggin' caves. Underground. Until they start burrowing. But I am sure they do.

Where is Sarah Conner? That crazy b*tch was right after all!!!

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 19th 2007 12:12PM]

no fate

[Who is JG? @ Jul 19th 2007 12:40PM]

One good puff of wind.....

[Lee Emmert @ Jul 19th 2007 12:57PM]

When Harvard builds a robotic fly that can maneuver and sting like Prof. Keenbean's robotic bee from the movie Richie Rich, give me a call!

[Simon K @ Jul 19th 2007 7:13PM]

I want to get one just so I can submit an error report of a bug in the software.

[TC @ Jul 19th 2007 7:27PM]

30 years in the future....
Fly1: "You mean...it's a machine?"
Fly2: "Not a machine; a cybernetic organism - Living tissue on the outside, it bleeds, it even sweats. The early models had rubber skin, they were easy to spot, but these new ones....I had to wait for him to try and sting you before I could make my move"
Fly1: "Who's responsible for this?"
Fly2: "Miles Dyson of Harvard University."

[Mickey Jones @ Jul 19th 2007 10:36PM]

Awesome! We can deploy whole fleets of these things to ... ahhh ... oh yeah, sit around on steaming piles of turds. Natural flys just weren't getting the job done quick enough.

[Akiosarin @ Jul 20th 2007 7:43PM]

oh well....no ones said it........but will it play doom?