China unveils mosquito-sized drone
A robotics research lab at China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) has developed a tiny, mosquito-like drone designed for covert reconnaissance and other covert operations. The invention was recently broadcast on China’s military-only television channel CCTV-7, highlighting the country’s significant advances in robotics engineering.
The insect-shaped drone, demonstrated by NUDT student Liang Hesheng, is extremely small, measuring between 1.3cm and 2cm in length and weighing less than 0.3g. Its design features two leaf-shaped wings and three slender “legs” that mimic the appearance and movement of an insect, making it difficult to detect by the naked eye or conventional radar systems.
“Such small biomimetic robots are particularly suitable for intelligence gathering and special operations on the battlefield,” Liang said during the broadcast, holding the tiny device between his fingers.
The drone is equipped with tiny cameras and microphones that can capture images, sounds, and other electronic signals. A prototype with four wings that can be controlled via a smartphone was also shown, highlighting the ease of use of this advanced device.
Developing such a small and complex device is a major engineering challenge. It requires the collaboration of multiple disciplines, including micromechanical engineering, materials science, and biomimicry, as sensors, power sources, control circuits, and communication components must be packed into a body smaller than the size of a fist.
China’s new microdrone is entering the world of military technology, where miniaturization is a key goal.
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