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Modeled very much like a bat, a six-inch robotic spy plane will soon gather data from sights, sounds and smells in urban combat zones and transmit information back to a soldier in real time. The bat will be designed to perform short-term surveillance in support of advancing soldiers. Or it could perch at a street corner or building for longer assignments and send back reports of activity as it takes place.

As University of Michigan engineers envision it, the bat robot's body will be about six inches long, weigh a quarter of a pound and consume 1 Watt of power. The U-M researchers intend to improve on a number of technologies, such as developing quantum dot solar cells that will double the efficiency of current cells. They expect their autonomous navigation system will enable the robot to direct its own movements, to be 1000 times smaller and also be more energy-efficient than systems in use today.

The researchers also believe they can deliver a communication system that is ten times smaller, lighter and more energy efficient than today's technologies.

The U.S. Army has awarded the University of Michigan College of Engineering a five-year, $10-million grant to make it all happen. The grant establishes the U-M Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology, called COM-BAT for short. Included in the grant is an option for renewal, for an additional five years, at $12.5 million.

The U-M team will focus on the microelectronics, developing sensors, communication tools and batteries for this micro-aerial vehicle. The plan includes tiny cameras for stereo-vision, an array of mini-microphones that will home in on sounds from different directions, and small detectors for nuclear radiation and poisonous gases.

Low-power miniaturized radar and a very accurate navigation system will help the bat find its way at night. Energy scavenging from solar, wind, vibration and other sources will recharge the bat's lithium battery. The aircraft will use radio to send signals back to troops.