The Internet of (Flying) Things

Readers of this blog will know we think robotics and sensors are about to "Tip" and create the "Internet of Things" and that this will be the real Next Big Thing in Internet-speak. One of the the things we track are small robots - the miniaturisation of technology is allowing ever smaller devices to operate independently. Here's the newset smallets one - New Scientist::

Aeronvironment has released video that shows its "nano air vehicle" (NAV), which is the size of a small bird or large insect, hovering indoors without such crutches and under radio control. "It is capable of climbing and descending vertically, flying sideways left and right, as well as forward and backward, under remote control," says the company.
Pentagon support

The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency commissioned the flying bug in 2007 and has rewarded the firm's success with a further development grant. It wants a version rugged enough to cope with wind and the other challenges of flying outdoors.

About 12 months ago we showed a Dutch device the size of a pigeon, well here (above) is one the size of a sparrow - thats' Moore's Law for you - now go forward 3 years and imagine what we will see......