Five years ago, Edwin Van Ruimbeke, an engineer from France, successfully raised funds for his ornithopter, a remote-controlled model capable of flying, flapping its wings, just like a real bird. Now he, inspired by the study of flying insects, he presents MetaFly, a flying robotic insect. 

MetaFly weighs less than 10 grams and resembles an insect. The movement of the wings is ensured by a mechanical engine equipped with an aluminum radiator, which receives energy from a tiny lithium-polymer battery.

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The battery is charged when placing MetaFly in a special dock, which is also a radio remote control.

According to the creator, one 15 minutes charge should be enough for 8 minutes of flight time.

The maximum range of the remote control is 100 meters. The maximum flight speed of a robot fly does not exceed 18 km / h (11 mph).

Now the model can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter for $ 78, while the planned retail price of MetaFly will be $ 146.

If such technology is available today for the ordinary consumer, then what technologies the US government has at its disposal. probably those birds were 15 years ago. today they probably have remote-controlled fleas with a 10-year battery for surveillance....