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Pentagon's Robot Hummingbird Christened "Nano Air Vehicle"

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LittleJon
07/03/09

In reply to Pentagon's Robot Hummingbird Christened "Nano Air Vehicle"
I co-wrote the proposal for that project with Aerovironment (I was working with Matt Keenon who's the pilot in the video). My company was responsible for miniaturization of the electronics.

The funny thing is, we wanted to do a miniature helicopter as even a hummingbird couldn't meet all the mission requirements that DARPA wanted. But DARPA in its infinite wisdom (and with tax-payers' money) thought that that was too easy and told us to switch to an ornithopter (flapping wing aircraft)!
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GitEmSteveDave_IsNotLarryGaga
07/04/09

@LittleJon: Then can you have them use a better background?
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Unknown2U
07/03/09

In reply to Pentagon's Robot Hummingbird Christened "Nano Air Vehicle"
Simply amazing at what people can accomplish. Although I can see this being used as a big brother type of thing against US citizens.

According to an article in the Washington Post last week, a strategy is taking shape in the White House that would authorize indefinite detention -- not through legislation, but with a presidentially signed executive order. And just hours ago, the president's press secretary said they would now go through Congress. One thing is clear: the Obama administration is seeking the power to indefinitely detain individuals without charge or trial.

What is also clear is that whether through executive order or legislation, indefinite detention is un-American.

You and I have to respectfully urge the President to make sure that idea never sees the light of day.
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GC
07/03/09

@Unknown2U: That's some impressive tin foil hattery you got goin on there.
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DangerousLiberal
07/04/09

@GC: Using nano hummingbirds on citizens. Unlikely. Executive orders on detainment. Real world. Check recent articles in the NY Times. I know from Tin Foil Hattery--"Obamer's takin' all the power and the guns and the womenz and is turning us into A-rab commies." Nutty. "Obama's not making good on his Gitmo and invasion of personal privacy promises." That's the real deal. While I trust Obama more than the day care center for neo-cons and failed oil wildcatters that "ran" the country into the shithole for the last eight years, I do know that Obama's record on privacy has not yet been promising--something "liberals" and "libertarians" and even true "conservatives" (not the ones who want to see into your bedroom) can agree on.
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Unknown2U
07/04/09

@DangerousLiberal: Why are the nano hummingbirds unlikely? Did you also think that the government would not use GPS to track a persons whereabouts without a court order as well?

To all other responders there is something called "Due process" in this country. It has been in our constitution from the beginning. Not following the Constitution is un-amercian.
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GitEmSteveDave_IsNotLarryGaga
07/04/09

@Unknown2U: So following someone is ok, but if I use something that duplicates that exact same job, it's wrong? Do you also believe police using cars w/o warrants to follow people is wrong?
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