# Robotic Fly Spy in the Sky? By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-07-24 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-fly-spy-in-the-sky References: [technologyreview](http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19068/) & [futurismic](http://futurismic.com/2007/07/19/spying-bugs-take-wing/) [Harvard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/als-medical-technology) researchers have developed a robotic fly with a three centimeter wingspan that weighs only 60 milligrams. Beyond that it actually flies. The real fly was used as a model for the robot's mechanical movements. In the future such [micro fliers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsmall-drone) could be used as spies. So, if you think a room is bugged, pat down the flies and mosquitoes. **Implications** - The project is being led by Professor Robert Wood who is a professor at the university's school of engineering and applied sciences. This is actually being funded by the [U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargo-glider). They hope that the robotic fly will be used for surveillance purposes in the battlefield and urban environments. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Micro Robotics:** Development of robotic flies opens up opportunities for advancements in micro robotics technology. - **Surveillance Drones:** Use of robotic flies as surveillance tools presents possibilities for innovative applications in the drone industry. - **Bio-inspired Engineering:** Modeling the robotic fly after real flies highlights potential for disruptive innovation in bio-inspired engineering fields. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Robotics:** Robotic flies contribute to the ongoing advancements and disruptive innovations within the robotics industry. - **Defense:** Integration of robotic flies in military surveillance can revolutionize the defense industry and its capabilities. - **Aerospace:** The emergence of micro fliers, like robotic flies, can bring new possibilities and disruption to the aerospace industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Multidirectional Miniature Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multidirectional-miniature-robots.md) - [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) - [Microscale Swimming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimming-robots-1.md) - [Air-Ground Amphibious Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airground-amphibious-quadruped-robots.md) - [Pest-Slaying Agricultural Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pestslaying-agricultural-robot.md) - [Dog-Inspired Surveillance Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-dog-concept.md) - [Hybrid Movement Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leo-robot.md)