Just Eat and Go!

Researchers at the UK's University of Bath are turning to nature for inspiration in their research into the aerodynamics needed to fly very small, unmanned aircraft.

Micro-aircraft are seen by many as the future of covert military surveillance as well as being important for a range of civilian operations. Such craft would need to carry small cameras and sensors along with the ability to manoeuvre and stay aloft for long periods of time. Scientific understanding of the stamina and agility of birds and insects in flight is still very limited, but unlocking these secrets could help to create the tiny aircraft of the future.

And like insects and birds, micro aircraft might even be able to feed themselves.

At the University of the West of England in Bristol, scientists are creating the new breed of autonomous robots. Robots that will carry out specific tasks – and even 'feed' themselves while working!

It's just possible that the insect sized aircraft of the future could simply eat and go!