Stanford University researchers have already figured out how to build a drone that can land on the side of a wall, perch there for a while, and then take back off into air again. The Pentagon would like to make its robotic aircraft even more bird-like. The military recently handed out a trio of contracts to design legs that will let these "micro air vehicles" hang onto a branch in high winds, and run around on the ground if need be. The question is whether these Pentagon-backed firms can top Stanford's already-impressive results.

The Stanford 'bot uses "miniature spines" as talons that grab onto a wall. Biorobots, LLC will use its Defense Department contract to give its robo-bird four legs with Stanford spines. The legs "will enable the MAV to crawl around the perch to reposition/reorient the on-board sensors for an optimal view of the target," according to a Pentagon project summary. "The tail feet will provide the primary braking force on landing, eliminating the MAV [micro air vehicle] tendency to pitch forward on landing. The front feet will cushion the landing and provide locomotion about the perch." If they can make thing work, it'll "significantly enhance our military and intelligence personnel’s ability to execute persistent surveillance."

Manhunting cops could benefit, too. "During the search, multiple... MAVs could be deployed and land on various structures throughout the search area. Even after the law enforcement personnel seem to call off the search, the MAVs would remain on their perches, keeping watch for the criminal/fugitive."

The push for animal-esque legs is just a small part of a broader military effort to build small robots inspired by – and in some cases, melded with – birds and bugs. Military-backed researchers have built a teensy drone that floats like a hummingbird and even flown a cyborg beetle. The Air Force Research Laboratory is hoping to have its flock of drones ready to go by 2015.