Fly on the wall: new spy device

SURREPTITIOUS surveillance has taken a new step with the development of a robotic “fly” which can be used to spy on people.

Researchers at Harvard University have invented the device, which weighs just 60mg and has a “wingspan” of 3cm. They anticipate that it could be used to observe situations that are too dangerous for humans, or to search for hidden explosives.

The “body” of the fly is made with ultra-thin sheets of carbon fibre, and it uses the same motion as a real insect — down to flapping its wings. The research team is working on a reliable way of controlling the fly’s flight.