Scientists have developed a spy robot which will help the army and soldiers gather as much information as possible. The robot measures six-inches and is designed like a bat. The concept received $10 million for a five-year research from the University of Michigan College of Engineering and it could receive an additional $12.5 million for another five-years for the U-M Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology, or COM-BAT.

The most important things of the robot are its microelectronics which consist of sensors, communication tools, batteries, cameras, microphones and detectors of nuclear radiation and other gases. When the night comes, “The Bat” will be guided with the help of a radar and a navigation system. The energy necessary for the batteries will be provided by solar and wind power, as well as other sources.

The information gathered will be reported back to station through radio signals. The Bat is only a concept for the moment, but there many universities working on this project, all of them sustained by the Army - along the University of Michigan there are the University of California and the University of New Mexico. Researchers are currently trying to improve the current technologies in order to make the Bat perform the tasks that he will accomplish. Eventually, the technologies that they will be able to improve, might be used in other domains of activity like engineering, medical or industry.

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