The Robotic Spy Pterodactyl!

Scientists are working on a robotic spy pterodactyl, and we assure you that this is a real engineering project and not an 80's cartoon series.  The odds of a spunky kid and his annoyngi animal sidekick gaining control of the technology are almost zero.  The unmanned aerial vehicle will use the advantages of one of the first vertebrates to master powered flight, and due to the lack of extinction-accelerating asteroids on the modern battlefield will suffer none of the drawbacks.

Experts from Texas Tech University and the University of Florida are showing off their plans for the "Pterodrone."  As well as the usual surveillance capabilities of unmanned vehicles, they announce that the ability to dynamically control the wings will allow the dinodrone to "squeeze through confined spaces, dive between buildings, zoom under overpasses, land on apartment balconies" (and, presumably, star in an explosive new action movie by Michael Bay).

We're also not sure why they want to send giant metal bots to perch on people's balconies, but won't ask for fear of finding out.  Personally.

At this point it doesn't matter what informational advantages the flying robotic dinosaur offers - we're fairly sure that once on side puts flying robosaurs into action the other side has to surrender on general principle. 

The Swoop-simulacrum has intended uses outside the battlefield too - and since it's being built by geologists you might be able to guess where they are.  The ability to glide for long distances, make a controlled landing and then walk around the target area makes this an excellent research and reconnaissance robot, able to reach regions which might not be worth a full expedition or cover large areas for search and rescue.

There are those who would mention that you should use the more correct "pterosaur", and argue that it isn't a dinosaur at all, to which we say: if you can look at plans for a flying mechanical dinobot and remain focused on word-pedantry, we don't want to talk to you no more.

Posted by Luke McKinney.

Pterodrone http://www.physorg.com/news142160849.html