# Robo-Spy Birds The Pentagon Develops the Revolutionary Hummingbot By Andrew Robichaud | Published 2009-07-03 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pentagon-hummingbot References: [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/darpa-contractor-shows-off-tiny-robo-hummingbird-uav/) & [wired](http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/video-pentagons-robo-hummingbird-flies-like-the-real-thing/) The U.S government (and the Pentagon, specifically) has created the Hummingbot. This [remote-controlled device](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-dog-concept) is built with the same mechanics as a hummingbird. The division of the Pentagon constructing the robot, [DARPA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crane-program), has managed to get the bird to stay hovering for around 20 seconds (enough to see mass potential and continue development and get an extra $2.1 million to keep going). This [nano air vehicle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsmall-drone) (NAV) is expected to be able to hover for extended periods and travel at around 10 meters per second. Designers also hope to control the Hummingbot up to 1 kilometer away. While you’re admiring nature, it might be the Pentagon spying on you (ooooohhhhhhh). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Remote-controlled Birds:** The development of remote-controlled birds like the Hummingbot presents disruptive innovation opportunities in surveillance, search and rescue, and wildlife research. - **Nano Air Vehicles:** The advancement of nano air vehicles like the Hummingbot opens up possibilities for disruptive innovations in military operations, delivery services, and environmental monitoring. - **Long-duration Hovering:** The ability of the Hummingbot to hover for extended periods paves the way for disruptive innovations in aerial photography, infrastructure inspection, and precision agriculture. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Surveillance:** The development of remote-controlled birds like the Hummingbot has potential applications in the surveillance industry, enabling more discreet and flexible surveillance operations. - **Military:** Nano air vehicles such as the Hummingbot have the potential to disrupt the military industry by providing advanced reconnaissance capabilities and enhancing situational awareness in combat environments. - **Robotics:** The development of a remote-controlled bird like the Hummingbot showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in the robotics industry, particularly in the creation of biomimetic robots with unique capabilities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Falcon-Inspired Aerial Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-falcon.md) - [Biomimicry Bird-Like Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bionic-bird-xfly.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [Bird-Diverting Robotic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-system.md) - [Crow-Shaped Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooded-crow.md) - [AI-Powered Bird Feeder Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-bird-feeders.md) - [Smart Hummingbird Feeders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feathersnap-hummingbird-feeder.md) - [Hybrid-Powered Unmanned Helicopters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybridpowered-unmanned-helicopter.md) - [AI-Powered Hummingbird Feeders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birdfy-hum-bloom.md)