We have all seen and scoffed at the insect robots in science fiction movies. We have often imagined how such things can exist in real life but modern technology has proved that anything that can be imagined, can come true. And this time, IIT-Kanpur has turned the impossible dream into a reality by inventing a miniscule insect-robot!
This 22-gram robot is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and aims to make surveillance easier than it has ever been.
What’s the update?
IIT-Kanpur has successfully made the science fiction- ‘Spy Bug’ into a real thing. This robotic bug which is inspired by several idioms and sci-fi examples is called ‘Insect-Copter’, a small bug-like robot that weighs merely 22 grams.
According to a recent report by TOI, this miniature robot will be used for the ‘fly-on-the-wall’ surveillance by the Indian defence forces. The completely indigenous tech will be handed over to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which will conduct field-trials and would spawn the bug for uses by the Indian armed forces.
A professor at IIT Kanpur, Laxmidhar Behera informed the world about this robot stating clearly that the AI bug can fly and spy undetected. He also stated that the bug can cover all sorts of landscapes and endure most weather conditions. The bug can also access high-security buildings and even find its way out of there without human help.
Knock Knock
The miniature bug is an ingenious invention and the uses of IIT-Kanpur’s ‘Insect-Copter’ can be many-fold. The miniature robot can help the defence forces get their hands on intel which would once have been extremely difficult to procure. Hence this sci-fi turned reality invention is one that we just cannot wait to see in real life!
