MICRO FLYING ROBOTS

FLYING NANO ROBOT- HOUSE FLY
"Micro aerial vehicles" - no larger than a common house fly - are currently being developed by the US military and could enter mass production later this decade.*

These machines could be used in spying missions, recording and transmitting audio-visual information. An individual robot would serve as a literal "fly on the wall" - equipped with miniature cameras, microphones, modem and GPS. Many terrorist cells could be infiltrated thanks to this radical new technology.

One of the major technical hurdles will be creating sufficient battery power in such a small object, as well as keeping them light enough to remain airborne. Advances in nanotechnology may solve this problem. Together with improvements in computing power, this would allow circuitry and components to be packed more closely.

More sophisticated versions might be developed for assassin roles. These would have capsules in the abdomen of the insect, filled with cyanide or another lethal toxin. This would be delivered to the target via a small needle capable of piercing human skin.

Some robots might work in groups, forming networks to extend their range and abilities. Further into the future, enormous swarms of these machines might be deployed on the battlefield.

However, concerns may be raised as to how this technology affects the safety and security of citizens.