Solar-powered dragonfly throws ball back in WowWee's court

Make no mistake, our hearts were fluttering when we finally witnessed WowWee's FlyTech Dragonfly buzzing about, but there's just something about this creature that really wins us over. Designed and constructed by James G. Watt, this robotic insect reportedly includes a number of solar cells which provide enough power in sunlight to make the critter's wings flap. Granted, we aren't told whether or not it's mighty enough to deliver loves notes in math class, but we're digging the concept, regardless.

[Via MAKE]

[Brandon @ Feb 25th 2008 8:13AM]

I'll bet Dr. Bullfinch is behind this! Where are the helmet and gauntlet?

[ijohnson2 @ Feb 25th 2008 6:08PM]

Invisible Boy was one of my favorites of the series, and the first thing I thought of when I saw this.

[NovaLand @ Feb 25th 2008 8:14AM]

Who is WowWee and what is he doing in my backyard catching dragonflies?

[silverblackvoid @ Feb 25th 2008 8:24AM]

aaah...the joy!

[linvincible @ Feb 25th 2008 8:31AM]

The guy looks to be more an artist than engineer, the website says the robot can flap its wings but no flight promises!

[Wisam @ Feb 25th 2008 8:36AM]

We just need to put a camera on this thing and some way to control it over wifi. That would be a killer gadget

[Superprime @ Feb 25th 2008 8:54AM]

The thing doesn't actually work. It's a sculpture only

[Valgas @ Feb 25th 2008 9:04AM]

A dragonfly made me nearly kill myself when I was little, but this one is cool.

[Froggy @ Feb 25th 2008 9:21AM]

The CIA was building stuff like that in the 70s to get microphones close to targets. They also had a catfish of sorts. This one looks a lot better, though, of course, it's 40 years later.

[Frank @ Feb 25th 2008 10:04AM]

Send this thing to Iraq and attach lasers to it!!!!
I will volunteer to control it remotely.

[Shane @ Feb 25th 2008 10:17AM]

Lets hope it doesn't get attacked by a hawk!

[Kurian @ Feb 25th 2008 10:40AM]

I want to get stuck in a teleporter with THAT thing.

[OneLove @ Feb 25th 2008 10:49AM]

but can it play doom?

[NHAnimator @ Feb 25th 2008 10:54AM]

If it kills mosquitoes, I'm good for a pair of them.

[tha-don @ Feb 25th 2008 2:28PM]

to kill all those mosquitoes that come out in the sunlight?

[Adam Broun @ Feb 25th 2008 11:25AM]

Is there a robo-Gallivespian to ride on it?

[Boynamedsue @ Feb 25th 2008 12:34PM]

yes yes, a non working concept/model firmly throws the ball back in WowWee's court.

i have a origami one that runs on a tiny nuclear slug and can blow up buildings.

game. set. match.