The idea behind Lockheed's new Samurai drone is to mimic the motion of the helicopterish maple seeds we amused ourselves with as kids to create a simple flying mechanism. The stripped down design lets the drone operate with just two moving parts, and come in at about a foot long. It's a prototype for now, but when it makes it to the field it'll be operated by remote control, and will be carried into the field in a lightweight backpack.
Science fiction fans may be reminded of devices like
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Tumblin' Tumbleweed Rovers To Eplore Mars
'His sensors out and working, and the whirring of the tape that sucked up sight and sound and shape and smell and form...'
Reflect Orbital Sunlight On Demand
'I don't have to tell you about the seven two-mile-diameter orbital mirrors that circulate around the satellite, making it habitable.'