You know how "they" are always talking about how we'll see robotic flying insects in the future? And how that future is always "not too distant"? Well, that future is a lot closer - check out the videos of this prototype: [link]
Military-backed researchers have built a tiny drone that looks and flies like a hummingbird, flapping its little robotic wings to stay in the air. So far, the mock bird, built for Pentagon mad-science division Darpa, has only stayed aloft for 20 seconds at a time. But that short flight was enough to show the potential of a whole new class of miniature spies, inspired by nature. Darpa just handed AeroVironment, makers of the winged “nano air vehicle,” another $2.1 million to build a hummingbot 2.0.
Ultimately, Darpa program manager Todd Hylton says in a statement, he’d like see “an approximately 10-gram aircraft that can hover for extended periods, can fly at forward speeds up to 10 meters per second, can withstand 2.5-meter-per-second wind gusts.” He also wants the nano air vehicle to operate inside buildings, and be controllable from up to a kilometer away.
Freaky to actually see it fly....
If aliens are watching Earth TV, this is what they're seeing
Aliens of Pi Mensae, you'll have to wait a while longer before those episodes of
Gilligan's Island
reach you!
I want to go visit somewhere that doesn't have any weather.
I want to go visit somewhere that doesn't have any weather.
Astonishingly, given its reputation, most of the time I was in Seattle was like this. Back home? NSfuckingM!
I want to go visit somewhere that doesn't have any weather.
Oh my stars. Bartleby and I just got caught in an apocalyptic downpour...on a day when no rain was predicted. LIARS.
The poor boo does not appreciate water from the sky, even when it is warm. He kept squinting at me disconsolately as we trudged the half mile or so home from the park. Upon entering, he crammed himself into the corner of the foyer where I keep my old towel stash...climbed up ON the pile and looked at me with an expression that could only mean..."You there, with the opposable thumbs...USE THESE...ON ME...now, please."
Hey, DCistas. If you have not been to the Folklife Festival this year, I highly recommend it. I spent a good deal of time in the Wales area today and enjoyed every minute of it.
Got there just in time to catch Only Men Aloud, winners of last year's, Last Choir Standing on the Beeb. They were awesome. One medley exhibited their Welsh pride with 'exports' Dame Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones. The theme from Goldfinger, Delilah, It's Not Unusual, and the Green, Green Grass of home.
On my way back up the Hill, I realized my face hurt from having smiled non-stop for hours. I needed that!
My laptop is decorated with crawling ant stickers (I bought a package to decorate the inside of the kitchen cabinets at my old apartment and had some left over). I find it amusing that there is now a real ant crawling on my laptop.
Poor Ply got caught out in the rain last night and must have holed up somewhere, because she was nowhere to be found this morning. Now she's buried herself under the pile of laundry I still haven't put away.
-t, I think your DH just about has it.
She's certainly never proven herself on any major stage, but she keeps winning minor ones, and the Williams sisters especially don't play those.
I thought that match was
laughable, and
given that Serena has been
vocal before about Dinara not deserving the spot, I know there's at least eyerolling going on
at the Williams residence tonight.
Oh yeah. Well, at least,
Venus will be well rested for her match against her sister
!
